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Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources.
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Dear neighbors,
As we step into February, my office is excited to share the latest news and updates about what’s happening in our community. To stay informed and participate in all our city has to offer, please visit our City of Santa Ana events page and also subscribe to our Cultura Magazine.
In January, the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Templo Calvario Church. Over 450 people filled the room to enjoy songs by "Voices by Second Baptist Church" and listen as Steve Kim, Executive Director of Project Kinship, delivered a meaningful message of hope. “This event is so important because it’s about bringing our community together,” Mayor Amezcua said. “Just seeing new and familiar faces come together, share a meal, then hear a powerful message of overcoming life’s trials and look around to see all the love in the room — it fills my heart with joy.”
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In other city news, I had the pleasure of hosting my monthly Coffee with the Mayor event at our senior center. I appreciated all the conversations and questions addressing safer streets, housing, community resources, and about what we can accomplish together to make our city better. | |
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As always, it is a privilege to serve as your mayor and I’m already excited for what the next few months will unfold as we build a stronger, safer, more prosperous Santa Ana together.
Sincerely,
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The 2nd Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who joined us! | |
Happy to have joined Councilman Phil Bacerra and our City staff at the Outlook 2024 Economic Forecast event. | |
This month’s Coffee with the Mayor at the Santa Ana Senior Center was a huge success. We had over 150 community members attend! I would like to thank you PACE, Abrazar, OCTA, Project Foodbox, Mercy Health, Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC), Santa Ana Water Resources Division, Councilmember Phil Bacerra, and Tony Flores from Assemblyman Valencia’s office for joining me. | |
Wonderful seeing so many community residents and City staff come together for the San Lorenzo Sewage Lift Station ribbon cutting ceremony! | |
Honored to have joined Newsong Church at their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Reflecting and honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | |
Attended the Mosaic Gala benefiting services for abused children. Thank you Mosaic for all your work! | |
City of Santa Ana working with the Illumination Foundation to house transitional age youth with seniors. | |
Honored to be sworn in as OCTA (Orange County Transportation Authority) Board member. I am looking forward to working with this organization and serving Santa Ana. | Meeting with Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, City of Santa Ana staff, Santa Ana Police Department, Supervisor Sarmiento’s staff and Caltrans to discuss ways we can address encampments and other quality-of-life issues. | |
Small Business Spotlight: DESIGNER SUNGLASSES | When shopping at MainPlace Mall, stop by Designer Sunglasses, 2800 Main St., #300, and support local businesses. | |
The City of Santa Ana Human Resources Department Talent Acquisition Division works with City agencies and departments to identify staffing needs and hire the best talent to serve the city. The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success, and have a passion for public service. | |
CITY NEWS AND RECOGNITIONS | |
Join our community budget meetings to share your ideas | |
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IMPORTANT!
YOUR
VOICE
MATTERS!
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IMPORTANT!
YOUR
VOICE
MATTERS!
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Last month we shared our community budget priorities survey (which you can still take here), and now we have another opportunity for you to share your ideas about how the City spends money on programs and services. Our Finance and Management Services Agency is hosting a series of community budget meetings where you can learn all about the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget process and engage directly with staff. Please join us at these upcoming meetings:
- Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. at Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
- Feb. 27 – 6 p.m. at Roosevelt Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
- March 12 – 6 p.m. at Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave.
- March 14 – 6 p.m. at McFadden Institute of Technology (Thornton Park Neighborhood Association meeting), 2701 S. Raitt St.
- March 21 – 6 p.m. at El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
- April 9 – 6 p.m. at Fisher Park Log Cabin, 2501 N. Flower St.
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Learn about down payment assistance at upcoming workshops | |
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The Community Development Agency is inviting prospective homebuyers, realtors, lenders and Santa Ana residents to a series of workshops where you can learn about our down payment assistance program. The My First Home Program provides down payment and closing cost financial assistance to qualified first-time home-buyers. The program offers up to $120,000 for low-income households and $80,000 for moderate-income households.
These workshops will provide an overview of eligibility, timeline and incentives. Last year, the My First Home Program received historic funding and we expect to continue assisting residents for the coming months.
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Construction begins on Gerardo Mouet Park at Standard and McFadden | |
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A much-needed park that will honor our former Parks and Recreation director is coming to the Minnie Street area later this year.
On Saturday, Jan. 27, we broke ground on Gerardo Mouet Park, which is named for a former Parks and Recreation director who died last year. The park at Standard and McFadden avenues will have a skate area, basketball court, playground, green space and more.
Mr. Mouet’s family joined a crowd of community members and City staff who came out to celebrate this emotional and meaningful day. Mr. Mouet was remembered for his love of Santa Ana and his tireless dedication to giving underserved neighborhoods the recreational areas and greenspace they deserve. The park name was unanimously supported by our City Council, Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission and is a fitting tribute to Mr. Mouet. It will open in fall 2024.
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City Hall main line
Code Enforcement
Emergency Water Services
Graffiti Hotline
mySantaAna app
- Report various issues: (714) 647-6900
Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees)
Planning a Community Clean-up
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Homeless Services
- SMART program for non-emergency homeless-related issues
- (714) 242-3706
My First Home Program
The city will offer down payment assistance loans to first-time home buyers to aid in the purchase of a home within the City of Santa Ana.
Employment Opportunities
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Report issues like:
- Illegal dumping
- Graffiti removal
- Homeless encampments
- Trash and recycling missed pickups
- Park issues
- Potholes
- and more through the app!
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS | |
Orange County Job Fair - February 16 | |
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Explore new career opportunities at the Orange County Job Fair on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Saddleback High School. Come dressed to impress and bring several copies of your resume.
- Friday, Feb. 16
- 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Saddleback High School, 2802 S. Flower St.
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Metrolink Lunar New Year Promotion - February 17 | |
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Help us celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with Metrolink on Feb. 17. Begin with a free festive celebration at the Irvine Metrolink Station then ride to the LA Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Andrea West at awest@octa.net or (714) 560-5611.
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Discovery Cube Santa Ana Resident Free Days | |
Santa Ana residents can get up to 4 free admission tickets per government-issued photo ID with address on the first Tuesday of every month. | |
Free Resident Day at Santa Ana Zoo - February 18 | |
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Santa Ana residents receive free admission to the Zoo on the third Sunday of every month. Proof of residency (such as ID or a utility bill) is required.
- Sunday, February 18
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last admission is at 4 p.m.)
- Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
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Coffee with the Mayor – February 24 | |
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Save the day and join me at the Coffee with the Mayor.
- Saturday, February 24
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- McDonald's, 1501 N. Bristol St.
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Upcoming Holiday and Closed Friday schedule (City Hall non-essential offices are closed on alternating Fridays throughout the year):
- Friday, February 16, 2024 – City Hall closed
- Monday, February 19, 2024 – City Hall closed for Presidents Day holiday
- Friday, March 1, 2024 - City Hall closed
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, at 5 p.m. at Santa Ana Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. Official City meetings are open to the public and I encourage you to participate. Council agendas and minutes may be accessed here.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS | |
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In January, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Elected Councilmember Thai Viet Phan to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for 2024.
- Approved agreements with DMS Facility Services, Landscape West Management Services, Mariposa Landscapes, Inc., and Pacific Coast Horticulturists for landscape maintenance at City parks and facilities in an annual amount of $5.2 million plus an annual contingency of $1.9 million for a total of $35.7 million for three years, with options for two one-year extensions.
- Approved a zoning amendment for the expansion of Vista Heritage Charter School at 601 N. Fairview St.
- Approved changes to the City’s Sunshine Ordinance addressing applicability to specific development activities; an ordinance addressing eligibility for permits for selling safe and sane fireworks; and a zoning ordinance amendment addressing billboards, general restrictions, and definitions.
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications. City Council meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the closed session beginning at 5 p.m. or earlier. The open meeting session begins at 5:30 p.m. Meetings have both in-person and virtual participation and attendance and are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and our TV channel, CTV3 (channel 3 on Spectrum.) If you’d like to provide public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, you can email, attend in person, or join the Zoom webinar online or by phone.
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If you’d like to invite me to attend an event in your neighborhood or in connection with your organization, please feel free to make that request. Use this form to contact me. | |
Follow the City on social media and online: | |
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