In the December 17, 2025, edition of COSAS (City of Santa Ana Stories), learn how nonprofits can apply to receive grant funds, see our new Zoo habitat, check out our latest projects improving our parks and our water supply, and find more City events, news and resources.
Spotlight Photo
Photo Credit: Diana E.
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City Manager’s Highlights
Join us at the River’s Edge
We are excited to invite the Santa Ana community to join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony as we officially open the River’s Edge habitat at Santa Ana Zoo. River’s Edge is one of the Zoo’s largest additions ever and will introduce guests to an immersive, reimagined habitat that’s home to North American river otters, black howler monkeys, golden lion tamarins and spider monkeys. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20.
As a special holiday gift, Zoo admission will be free all weekend, Dec. 20-21, for Santa Ana residents. Adults 18 years or older must bring a current ID with a Santa Ana address or an old ID plus a current utility bill that shows a Santa Ana address.
Come join us for the official opening of this highly anticipated habitat and visit the Zoo all weekend long hours to see our new furry friends. The Zoo is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Season of Giving
City of Santa Ana staff serve our community in many ways, including participating in toy drives, Adopt a Family programs, and other charitable activities during the holidays. This month, City Manager Alvaro Nuñez challenged each City department to fill up a box of toys to support Santa Ana Unified School District’s CENA 2025 Toy Drive. As the first ones to fill their box, we’re proud to recognize and thank the Human Resources Department for their contributions!
For over 30 years, CENA has helped Santa Ana families during the holidays, and this year they hope to provide 10,000 toys. If you’d like to donate, there’s still time to help.
News
Public Works Agency wins Project of the Year Award for Downtown Flood Reduction and Stormwater Infiltration Project
On December 9, 2025, our Public Works Agency was awarded a BEST Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) for the Downtown Flood Reduction and Stormwater Infiltration Project. The award recognizes projects that contribute to cleaner waterways and sustainable urban environments.
The Downtown Flood Reduction and Stormwater Infiltration Project is a multi-benefit flood reduction and stormwater capture project. The project featured an underground stormwater detention system and 13 drywells designed to infiltrate (capture) approximately 32,000 cubic-feet of stormwater per storm from the 19.3-acre drainage area. The project also included installation of over 1,000 linear-feet of new storm drains and reconstruction of the City-owned parking lot at 3rd and Bush streets with new drought-tolerant landscaping and interpretive signage. The City received funding from the California Natural Resources Agency’s Prop 68 Urban Flood Protection program for the project, which was completed in June 2025.
Learn more about our stormwater management program.
Well 32 Project helps modernize water supply system
The Public Works Agency has completed the Well 32 Rehabilitation Project at Morrison Park. This is an important part of our ongoing efforts to update our water-production systems and ensure residents have safe, clean drinking water.
The project included demolition of an existing underground well vault and building a new above-ground well building with a pump and electrical room, a transmission pipeline between Morrison Park and Garthe Reservoir, and a chemical building at the reservoir site. The project also added a tennis court, a basketball court and a parking lot for the park.
Community Development Block Grant Public Service Application 2026-2028 open until February 4
The City of Santa Ana is accepting applications from qualified nonprofit organizations for the 2026-28 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the CDBG program supports vital community services that strengthen neighborhoods, expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income residents.
CDBG Public Service funds may be used for a wide range of eligible activities that meet community needs, including housing support services, youth programs, senior services, crime prevention, employment initiatives and other efforts that help build a more resilient and equitable Santa Ana.
We encourage nonprofit organizations with programs that serve Santa Ana residents to apply. The deadline to apply is Feb. 4, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Learn more and apply for CDBG grants.
Exhibitor and vendor applications open for Tết Lunar New Year Festival
We are now accepting exhibitor and vendor applications for the annual Tết Lunar New Year Festival taking place on Feb. 7, 2026. The application period closes on Jan. 9, 2026 at 5 p.m. We encourage local businesses, agencies and nonprofit organizations to apply to participate in this free event commemorating our community’s Asian and Vietnamese cultures.
Santa Ana City Hall closed December 25 to January 2 for holidays; no street sweeping December 25-26, January 1
Santa Ana City Hall will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Regular hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Police, fire and other emergency services will operate normally during the closure, but some other city services and facilities will also have holiday hours.
Street sweeping and trash/recycling pickup will be affected as follows:
- Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas): No street sweeping; trash and recycling collection delayed by one day
- Friday, Dec. 26: No street sweeping
- Thursday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day): No street sweeping; trash and recycling collection delayed by one day
See all City of Santa Ana holiday impacts.
OC Bus offers free rides on New Year’s Eve
Ring in the New Year with free rides on OC Bus! Have fun and celebrate safely. OC Bus will not charge you when you ride between 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and 2:30 a.m. Jan. 1.
Tales of the City
Santiago Park improvements open to public
The City of Santa Ana celebrated the completion of the latest improvements at Santiago Park on Tuesday, Dec. 9, as part of our ongoing investment in this important community and ecological space along Santiago Creek.
Santa Ana City Councilmembers and State representatives joined community members for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the park where they learned about the new improvements, including picnic areas, Santiago Creek overlooks, lighting, landscaping, irrigation, fencing, an entry monument at Main Street, a pedestrian path and a bike path that connects to the Santiago Creek Bike Trail. Phase II was made possible by $2.8 million in funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy.
Santiago Park, located at Main Street along Memory Lane across from the Discovery Cube, had been undeveloped for years until the City of Santa Ana began working with the Park Santiago Neighborhood Association to develop a concept plan for the improvements. Construction on the first phase of the project, called the Gashouse Area, began in 2021 and was completed in 2023. That $3.5 million phase included renovation of the historic Gashouse building that’s now available to rent for private events, as well as adding an outdoor amphitheater, walkways, picnic tables, playground, lighting, new landscaping and other improvements.
Santiago Park Phase III is in the planning stages and will include the section of the park east of the Lawn Bowling Center to the 22 Freeway.
City Council Meetings
The next regular Santa Ana City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza. The meeting agenda will be available one week in advance.
City Council meetings are 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. Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications.
Events
Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.
Jerome Park Community Garden Mood and Vision Board Workshop – December 17
Join the Health and Wellness team at the Jerome Park Community Garden for a collaborative workshop where participants will create a community vision board that highlights both garden goals and personal aspirations. Free and open to all ages.
- Wednesday, Dec. 17
- 3-4 p.m.
- Jerome Park, 2115 W. McFadden Ave.
Register for Vision Board workshop
Resume Building Workshop – December 18
New year, new job? Join Santa Ana WORK Center for a resume building workshop every first and third Thursday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information and to RSVP, call 714-565-2600.
- Thursday, Dec. 18
- 10-11 a.m.
- Santa Ana WORK Center, 801 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 200
El Salvador Community Center Open House – December 19
Santa’s elves have taken over the El Salvador Community Center Open House with a festive twist: Journey to the North Pole. This free, all-ages winter experience invites guests to explore interactive “elf training” stations leading up to a meet-and-greet with Santa Clause and a tour of the center. Enjoy raffle prizes, music and live performances, holiday activities, photos with Santa, treats and refreshments. Register now to attend and to sign up for the raffle.
El Salvador Community Center Open House
River’s Edge Grand Opening – December 20
The community is invited to the grand opening of the River’s Edge habitat at Santa Ana Zoo. River’s Edge will introduce guests to an immersive, reimagined habitat that’s home to North American river otters, black howler monkeys, golden lion tamarins and spider monkeys. The habitats will be open to the public during regular Zoo hours after the event.
- Saturday, Dec. 20
- 11 a.m.
- Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Storytime at the Park in Morrison Park – December 22
Pack a blanket and join Santa Ana Public Library for Storytime at the Park! Immerse your little ones in the magic of storytelling amid the beauty of nature. Call 714-647-5358 for more information.
- Monday, Dec. 22
- 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Morrison Park, 2801 N. Westwood Ave.
Storytime at the Park in Centennial Park – December 23
Pack a blanket and join Santa Ana Public Library for Storytime at the Park! Immerse your little ones in the magic of storytelling amid the beauty of nature. Call 714-647-5358 for more information.
- Tuesday, Dec. 23
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Bowers Museum Festival of India – January 4
Celebrate with Bowers Museum during free family festivals held the first Sunday of every month in the Museum’s Key Courtyard. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at every festival.
- Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Resources
Report issues with the mySantaAna app
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the City of Santa Ana government in the palm of your hand! Download the app to quickly and easily report issues such as potholes, graffiti, downed trees and much more. The new app is now fully functional in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
City Hall Friday and Holiday Closures
Santa Ana City Hall is open Monday through Thursday and every other Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. City Hall and non-essential City offices are closed on alternating Fridays, in addition to several observed holidays throughout the year.
See the holiday and closed Friday schedule
See our holiday street sweeping schedule
Who do I call at City Hall?
Important phone numbers:
- City Hall main line: (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement: (714) 667-2780
- Graffiti Hotline: (877) 786-7824
- Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
- Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees): (714) 647-3380
Find more phone numbers for all City services
Utility services
- City utility services
- Southern California Edison: Call (800) 447-6620
- Southern California Gas: Call (800) 207-8567
- Trash pick-up: Call (657) 467-6220