Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources.
Dear Neighbors,
We recently celebrated Labor Day, a special time to recognize and thank the hardworking individuals who keep our community moving forward. The holiday also reminds us that summer is winding down and a new season is just around the corner. Our children are back in school, fall sports are underway, and although the days are still hot, we know cooler weather is on its way.
I’m happy to share some important news about efforts to improve our public spaces. The Santa Ana City Council approved a new agreement with Caltrans that will allow us to clean up and maintain key freeway corridors throughout our city. This partnership will help keep our streets safer, cleaner, and more welcoming for everyone.
Thanks to the Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement, the City will now be able to remove trash, graffiti, and encampments along major freeway ramps and underpasses. Caltrans will reimburse the City up to $400,000 over the next two years for the work completed.
As summer winds down, there’s still so much to look forward to across Santa Ana:
Santa Ana Fiestas Patrias 2025 – September 13–14
Join us downtown for a weekend of food, music, and family fun! Don’t miss the Grito de Independencia on Saturday and the parade on Sunday. We’re also honored to welcome back Dr. Manuel Gálvez Sánchez, Mayor of Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. Learn more.
Coffee with the Mayor – September 20
Come join me for a casual conversation and community connection from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. September 20 at McDonald’s, 1101 E. 17th St. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the future of our city.
Classic Cars with SAPD
Join us for the upcoming Classic Cars with SAPD event on September 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SAPD Headquarters, 60 Civic Center Plaza. This event will support the Widows and Orphans Fund. Bring the whole family to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with classic cars, great music, and community spirit. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors and our Santa Ana Police Department. We hope to see you there.
InfluenceHER Conference – Saturday, October 11
Looking ahead, I’m proud to announce the 3rd Annual InfluenceHER Conference, hosted by my office in partnership with Girls Inc. and Santa Ana College. This inspiring event is open to all SAUSD girls and focuses on leadership, mentorship, and personal growth.
I hope this September brings you many opportunities to connect with neighbors, celebrate our community, and enjoy everything that makes Santa Ana such a special place to live, work, and shop.
Sincerely,
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
I invite you to follow me on social media for daily updates! Please connect with me, and stay tuned for upcoming news, meetings, and events in our community!
MAYOR ON THE MOVE
Victory Outreach Back to School event
Thank you to Victory Outreach Santa Ana for inviting me to join in your Back to School Community Giveback event. It was wonderful to see families receiving backpacks, shoes and food to start the school year strong.
Chicano Heritage Month – California Assembly House Resolution
I was honored to join Assemblymember Avelino Valencia and local leaders as the California State Assembly passed a historic resolution designating August as Chicano Heritage Month, making California the first in the nation to do so. This important recognition celebrates the significant contributions of Chicanos and Mexican Americans to our state’s rich culture and history.
Outdoor Library at Jerome Park Ribbon Cutting
Proud to have spoken at the grand opening of the Outdoor Library at Jerome Park. This library features a self-service “Mini Library” kiosk with nearly 400 items, outdoor seating, public Wi-Fi, activity areas, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Alongside the new Delhi Branch, this marks the largest library expansion in 50 years.
City Council Recognition – Quality of Life Team
At the recent City Council meeting, we proudly recognized our outstanding Quality of Life Team (QOLT) for their continued dedication to keeping Santa Ana clean, safe and welcoming for all.
Orange County Labor Federation Solidarity Award Gala 2025
Attended the OC Labor Federation Solidarity Dinner, standing in solidarity with workers and labor leaders who continue to advocate for fairness, dignity and opportunity for all.
Coffee with the Mayor
I was happy to welcome more than 50 residents to our Coffee with the Mayor at the Santa Ana Zoo! It was a great morning of conversation, connection and giving back. My office was proud to distribute another 200 backpacks to local students as part of our back-to-school efforts.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
City of Santa Ana jobs and internships links:
The City of Santa Ana’s Human Resources Department, Talent Acquisition Division, collaborates with City agencies and departments to identify staffing needs and recruit top talent to serve our community. We are looking for results-oriented individuals who possess a positive attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, have a proven track record of success, and are passionate about public service.
CITY RESOURCES
Need help with City services or community programs? Here’s a quick guide to available resources in Santa Ana.
Find more community resources here.
You can request City services online.
📞 Important City Contacts:
- City Hall Main Line – (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement – (714) 667-2780
- Emergency Water Services – (714) 953-8026
- Graffiti Hotline – (877) 786-7824
- Homeless Services – (714) 242-3706 or report via the mySantaAna app.
- Public Works Dispatch (street sweeping, tree maintenance) – (714) 647-3380
- Santa Ana Police Department Non-Emergency Line – (714) 245-8665
MySantaAna app expanding language support!
The mySantaAna mobile app is even more accessible! Since I took office, I have been pushing for this important tool to be available in Spanish and Vietnamese to better serve our diverse community. The new app has all functions available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, making it easier for everyone to report issues and request City services.
Download and update the mySantaAna app: Be sure to get the app update if the old app hasn’t already automatically updated on your smartphone.
CITY NEWS AND RECOGNITIONS
Historic Preservation Awards nominations now open
The City of Santa Ana is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards. These awards recognize outstanding restoration and rehabilitation projects, as well as efforts that support preservation causes in our community. Winners will be honored by the Historic Resources Commission and City Council and will receive a commemorative plaque for their contributions to preserving Santa Ana’s heritage.
📅 Nominations are due by Thursday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m.
📍 Submit online or in person. Learn more and access the nomination form at this link.
For more information, contact Contract Planner James Williams at (714) 647-5899.
Give feedback on our Draft Zoning Code Update development rules
The City is hosting a series of open houses to share information about development rules, called the Zoning Code, that determine how properties can be developed and used. During the open houses Sept. 23-26, the project team will share the draft rules and seek public feedback.
The City’s goal is to preserve and improve existing neighborhoods, foster responsible growth in suitable areas, promote health by creating walkable environments and buffering residential areas from industrial uses, and to streamline business investment. Please make your voice heard and participate.
For more information, visit: www.santa-ana.org/zoning-code-update/
Public Works improving our roads
This summer, our Public Works team has been making great progress on important infrastructure projects that keep Santa Ana moving, safe, and thriving. Here are some of the latest updates from around the city:
First Street Slope Stabilization Project
Crews stabilized four dirt slopes with 45,000 square feet of decorative concrete along First Street, widened the sidewalk to enhance pedestrian safety, and installed new security fencing along the top of the slopes. These upgrades help reduce slope erosion, improve water quality, and enhance the appearance of this key gateway to Downtown Santa Ana.
Project Pedestrian and Mobility Improvements Phase II
The Public Works team installed three new traffic signals on Fairview Street at Highland Street, 5th Street at Susan Street, and Flower Street at 3rd Street to improve safety in high-traffic, higher-speed corridors. These locations are near schools, senior housing, and OCTA bus stops, where safe crossings are especially important. The upgrades provide better visibility for pedestrians, emergency vehicle detection, and more orderly movement for all roadway users.
Local Preventative Maintenance Project
Pavement rehabilitation work has been successfully completed, repairing about six and a half miles of streets throughout Santa Ana. The work scope included upgrading curb ramps, replacing damaged curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, and adding new slurry seal, crack sealing, and asphalt overlay. These accomplishments will improve ride quality, extend pavement life, and increase accessibility through better street conditions.
Standard Avenue from Warner Avenue to 2nd Street
Construction for improved bike lane infrastructure along Standard and McFadden is now underway, promoting pedestrian safety and alternate forms of transportation! Improvements include protected bike lanes, a new traffic signal at Bishop Street, a new pedestrian crossing at Wakeham Avenue, bulb-outs for shorter pedestrian crossing distance at intersections and new ADA curb ramps.
Standard and McFadden avenues have both been reduced from two lanes to one lane in each direction for vehicles to accommodate the bike lanes. While this may cause temporary impacts in both directions, this approach helps ensure timely delivery and cost-effective execution of the project.
Bristol Street Widening Project Phase 3A (Civic Center Drive to Washington Avenue)
The Bristol Street Widening Project is approximately 40% complete and expected to finish by summer 2026. Soundwall construction is nearly done, and about half of the overhead utilities have been moved underground. City utility work and street improvements are also in progress.
Bristol Street project updates
COMMUNITY EVENTS
International Older Adults Celebration
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency’s Senior Services section invites the older adult community to join us for the third annual International Older Adults Celebration on Friday, October 3, at Jerome Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s event embraces the theme of “Thriving Together,” celebrating connection, wellness, and shared joy through engaging activities and meaningful moments. This free event will be open to everyone ages 55+. Registration is required.
Dancing with the Stars
Join the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce for a spectacular night of dance as 10 community leaders compete to support great causes! We’re proud to share that one of the performers will be Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez, who is raising money for the Greater Santa Ana Vitality Foundation and to support families of police officers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty.
Born in Tijuana and raised in Santa Ana, Chief Rodriguez is a U.S. Marine veteran who rose through Los Angeles Police Department and Santa Ana Police Department to become our 22nd chief of police! He is a servant leader known for unity and inclusivity, and leads with strength, empathy, and community pride.
Please join me in supporting Chief Rodriguez and these important causes.
Discovery Cube Santa Ana – Resident Free Days
Great news, Santa Ana residents! Enjoy a day of fun and learning at Discovery Cube Santa Ana for FREE on the first Tuesday of every month! Get up to FOUR free tickets per government-issued photo ID with a Santa Ana address.*
📅 When: First Tuesday of every month
📍 Where: Discovery Cube Santa Ana
🔗 Learn more: Discovery Cube Promotions
Free Resident Day at Santa Ana Zoo
Santa Ana residents, enjoy a wild day at the Santa Ana Zoo — for FREE!
📅 When: Every third Sunday of the month
📍 Where: Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana
🎟 Free admission with proof of residency (driver’s license or utility bill required).
🔗 Learn more: Santa Ana Resident Days
Bowers Museum free admission for residents
Offers free general admission to all Santa Ana residents on Sundays through a generous donation in memory of Dorothy Goerl and courtesy of the Lockhart Family. Santa Ana residents will need to provide proof of residency through an ID, driver’s license or utility bill.
City Hall
Upcoming Holiday and Closed Friday schedule: (City Hall non-essential offices are closed on alternating Fridays throughout the year)
- Friday, September 12, 2025 – City Hall closed
- Friday, September 26, 2025 – City Hall closed
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 16, at 5:30 p.m. (open session) 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.
Invite me
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 via email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
For more City news, please follow City of Santa on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and share my newsletter with friends and family.