In the May 16, 2025, edition of the City Manager’s newsletter, register for swim lessons and Summer Splash Day Camp, discover ancient Terracotta warriors at the Bowers Museum, enjoy a talk with acclaimed children’s author Ann Chau, see our Historic Preservation Award winners, and find more Santa Ana news and events.
Spotlight Photo
Senior Center Spring Celebration
Photo Credit: City staff
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
City wins equity award for Environmental Justice Action Committee
The City of Santa Ana has received the prestigious Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), recognizing the City’s leadership in addressing environmental inequities. Santa Ana received this award for the work of its Environmental Justice Action Committee, a coalition of local residents, public agencies, and community-based nonprofits working together to prioritize cleaner air, safer housing, and equitable access to parks and green spaces. With support from the Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services (NIES) team, Santa Ana has launched air quality monitoring tools, expanded lead testing, and promoted public engagement around environmental policy.
Learn more about our SCAG award
Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week
We celebrated Public Service Recognition Week on May 4-10 to honor the incredible work of over 1,700 City of Santa Ana employees. From keeping our community safe to supporting local businesses, enhancing infrastructure, and creating opportunities for youth, our staff work hard every day to improve the quality of life for all residents. Check out this video to hear their stories and learn what inspires their commitment to public service. We’re proud to serve the Santa Ana community.
News
WISEPlace opens affordable housing community for vulnerable women
WISEPlace on Broadway officially opened its doors this week, marking a major milestone in the City of Santa Ana’s efforts to provide supportive housing for those most in need. Developed in partnership with Jamboree Housing Corporation, the new community brings safe, stable housing and vital services to women who are survivors of domestic violence, seniors, or experiencing severe hardship.
The City of Santa Ana issued 25 project-based vouchers (PBV) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help subsidize rents. Out of the 25 PBVs, 15 are set aside for survivors of domestic violence, making this the only Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) community with set-aside vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Orange County. The City also contributed $3.8 million in capital financing and $1.5 million to provide onsite services to the $28.6 million project.
Read more about WISEPlace on Broadway
Register your children for Summer Splash Day Camp
Get ready for a summer full of fun, friends, and adventure! Santa Ana Parks and Recreation is excited to welcome youth ages 6 to 12 to our Summer Day Camp at El Salvador Community Center, Jerome Recreation Center, and Salgado Recreation Center. Campers can look forward to action-packed weeks filled with games, group activities, swim lessons, recreational swim time, and exciting weekly field trips from June 2 to Aug. 8. Lunch is provided daily by Santa Ana Unified School District, and each week features a new theme to keep things fresh and fun. Each camper receives one camp shirt at registration, and additional shirts can be purchased at the center while supplies last. Just bring a water bottle, a snack, and your best camp spirit.
Register before July 1 and save! All pricing is subject to change after July 1.
- Residents weekly fee: $110
- Resident sibling rate (per additional family participant): $70
- Non-residents weekly fee: $130
- Non-resident sibling rate (per additional family participant): $90
Register for Summer Splash Day Camp
Sign up for swim lessons for all ages
Santa Ana Parks and Recreation is also offering swim lessons for all ages and skill levels from June 2 through Aug. 7 at El Salvador, Jerome, and Salgado pools. Each two-week session includes eight 30-minute lessons, held Monday through Thursday. Classes follow American Red Cross guidelines and are taught by certified instructors.
Lessons are available for children as young as 6 months in the Parent and Me class, preschoolers, youth ages 6-17, and adults. Prices start at $55 per session for residents and $65 for non-residents. Registration opens May 20 for Session 1 and continues throughout the summer.
Bowers Museum’s Terracotta Warriors exhibit to open May 24
Don’t miss Bowers Museum’s newest exhibit opening this month! World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century is a world-class exhibition that features newly uncovered artifacts from China’s legendary Terracotta Army, giving visitors a rare and up-close look at one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in history, like chariot regalia and bronze vessels. The special celebration on opening night will also feature a talk by curator Dr. Tianlong Jiao, along with drinks, entertainment, and special guests to mark the occasion.
Bowers Museum Terracotta Warriors Exhibit
Dispose of hazardous household waste for free
Do you have old paint, batteries, cleaners, or pool chemicals sitting around the house? The County of Orange makes it easy to safely get rid of household hazardous waste for free. Drop off your items at one of the nearby collection centers and help keep Santa Ana clean and safe.
Sites are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays and during rainy weather:
- Anaheim – 1071 N. Blue Gum S.
- Irvine – 6411 Oak Canyon (next to City Yard)
- Huntington Beach – 17121 Nichols St. (use Gate 6)
- San Juan Capistrano – 32250 Avenida La Pata
If you have questions, please call (714) 834-6752. To report illegal dumping, use the mySantaAna app or call Santa Ana Public Works at (714) 647-3380.
Street closures planned for Fun Run on May 17
Street closures will be in effect for the Santa Ana Fun Run on Saturday, May 17, from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Civic Center area and surrounding streets. Please see the map of the race route and street closures, which you can download at the link below.
Registration for the Fun Run has closed, but the public is welcome to come cheer on the runners and to visit our Public Works Week display on Flower Street south of Civic Center Drive.
Memorial Day closure, no street sweeping on May 26
In observance of Memorial Day, Santa Ana City Hall, libraries, senior centers and community centers will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025. There will be no street sweeping, and trash collection will be delayed by one day.
Tales of the City
This year’s Historic Preservation Award winners have been announced!
Our Historic Resources Commission selects the winners to honor outstanding achievement in the restoration, rehabilitation, beautification and preservation of the City’s historic resources. To be eligible, projects must be located in Santa Ana and listed on the Local, State, or National Register of Historic Places. They must have been completed between January 1, 2018. and December 31, 2023, have all required City permits, and meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
YMCA Building – Award of Merit
Presented to Michael Harrah of Caribou Industries for the ongoing rehabilitation of the 1923 YMCA building, a Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival landmark designed by architect Frederick Eley.
Thomas House – Rehabilitation Award
Presented to Diana Vogel for restoring the 1898 Queen Anne-style Thomas House at 621 N. Spurgeon St. to its original architectural character.
625 S. Broadway – Rehabilitation Award
Presented to Xavier Velasco for restoring a 1917 Craftsman-style home in Heninger Park, including the removal of incompatible alterations and repair of key features.
Pomeroy House – Rehabilitation Award
Presented to Ali Mirhossein for rehabilitating the 1912 Craftsman Bungalow at 718 S. Broadway, with a focus on restoring original architectural details.
826 & 830 N. Lacy St. – Historic Infill Design Award
Presented to Velma de La Rosa of Habitat for Humanity for constructing two new homes in the French Park Historic District that reflect historic Folk Victorian and Craftsman styles.
The Rafferty – Special Recognition
Presented to John Hyde of Toll Brothers for preserving and restoring the historic Orange County Title Company building facade as part of The Rafferty project in downtown Santa Ana.
Congratulations to all of this year’s Historic Preservation Award recipients! Your dedication to restoring and preserving Santa Ana’s rich architectural heritage helps keep our city’s history alive for future generations. Thank you for your outstanding contributions to our community.
City Council Meetings
The next regular Santa Ana City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4 p.m. for closed session and at 5:30 p.m. for the open meeting in Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza.
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications. City Council meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. 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.
Events
Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.
Roosevelt-Walker Open House – May 16
Join us at the Roosevelt-Walker Community Center for the Hope, Health & Harmony Open House. This free, family-friendly event is hosted in collaboration with the Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS) and offers a variety of activities focused on health and wellness. It is dedicated to supporting veterans, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Enjoy mindfulness exercises, nutrition demonstrations, wellness activities, and gardening workshops! Relax and connect with neighbors during a community picnic featuring food trucks. Register in advance and participate in the activities to earn a voucher for one of the featured food trucks. For more information, call the Roosevelt-Walker Community Center at (714) 647-5220.
- Friday, May 16
- 5-8 p.m.
- Roosevelt-Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Zoning Code Update workshops – May 21, 22, 29, 31
We want to hear from you! The City is holding a series of workshops to talk about updating our rules (the Zoning Code) for land use and development. This is the second series and will build on public input received during workshops held in July and November 2024. The remaining workshops are on May 21, 22, 29 and 31. Each workshop has a different topic and theme.
Join the Zoning Code Update Workshops
Pride Flag Raising Ceremony – May 22
The public is invited to celebrate Harvey Milk Day and LGBTQ+ Pride Month with a Pride Flag raising ceremony at Santa Ana City Hall on Thursday, May 22. The City of Santa Ana was the first city in Orange County to fly the Pride Flag after the City Council approved a resolution in 2015 requiring the Pride flag to be flown at City Hall on Harvey Milk Day, commemorating the LGBTQ+ civil rights leader, and to remain up through the end of June for Pride Month. The colorful rainbow flag sends a powerful message that our LGBTQ+ community members matter, they are supported, and they belong in our beautiful city.
- Thursday, May 22
- 9-10 a.m.
- Santa Ana City Hall, 20 Civic Center Plaza (in front of the flagpole)
Library AAPI Author Talk with Ann Chau – May 23
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, the Santa Ana Public Library is hosting a talk with acclaimed children’s author Ann Chau. Her book, “My Ong Ngoai’s Garden,” is a story about a little boy named Cal who explores his grandpa’s (Ong Ngoai) garden and learns about delicious fruits found in Vietnam. There will be a special bilingual storytime, an author reading, and giveaways including books (while supplies last), seeds and planting pots. Call (714) 647-6992 for more information.
- Friday, May 23
- 3-4 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Santa Ana Zoo Party for the Planet – May 25
Come celebrate with Santa Ana Zoo! Party for the Planet combines Earth Day and Endangered Species Day with informational and activity stations for all ages. Discover a new species, learn how you can help conserve water and other resources, and connect with local organizations that are doing their part too! This event offers an extra free admission day for Santa Ana residents (proof of residency required.)
- Sunday, May 25
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Little Saigon at 50 – June 5
The community is invited to 50 Years of Little Saigon’s Resilience, an event that will bring together entrepreneurs, community leaders, and civic partners from across Southern California. This milestone gathering honors the remarkable journey and contributions of Vietnamese Americans over the past five decades.
50 Years of Little Saigon’s Resilience is presented by the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network (OCIE SBDC Network) and the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce (VACOC), in partnership with the cities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley and Westminster, and local chambers of commerce. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with policymakers, business trailblazers, chamber executives, and key resource providers — fostering connections that inspire collaboration and drive lasting impact. Register now!
- Thursday, June 5
- 1–7:30 p.m.
- Great Wolf Lodge, 12681 Harbor Blvd.
Register for 50 Years of Little Saigon’s Resilience
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.
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