News

A crowd sits in an auditorium in front of a dais.

Board of Supervisors says homeless multi-service center must relocate by end of 2024 after Santa Ana leaders, residents speak out

Posted on November 28, 2023

Today, Councilmember Phil Bacerra, Councilmember David Penaloza, a representative of Mayor Valerie Amezcua, and over two dozen residents, neighborhood leaders and City staff spoke at the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting to oppose a County contract extension with Mental Health Association of Orange County (MHA.) Although we didn’t get the outcome we had hoped...

City of Santa Ana opposes proposed County contract with MHA

Posted on November 27, 2023

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will consider a contract with the Mental Health Association of Orange County to provide homeless services at 2416 S. Main St. The City of Santa Ana is NOT in support and OPPOSES the approval of this contract due to the negative public...

Santa Ana City Council appoints Interim City Manager

Posted on November 21, 2023

Thomas R. Hatch will serve until a permanent City Manager is hired. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council has appointed veteran municipal executive Thomas R. Hatch to serve as Interim City Manager, overseeing operations of one of the largest cities in Orange County and over 1,400 City employees. On Tuesday, Nov. 21,...

Mayor’s newsletter: November 2023

Posted on November 9, 2023

Sign up for my newsletter Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua. Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources. Dear neighbors, November brings the opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude for those around us. One of the best parts about fall is participating in the amazing activities and events...

Santa Ana City Council to have special meeting on Monday, October 30, to address Ward 3 special recall election

Posted on October 29, 2023

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Mayor Valerie Amezcua has called a special meeting of the Santa Ana City Council to address a letter received from Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page regarding the Ward 3 special recall election scheduled for Nov. 14, 2023. The special meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct....

Santa Ana City Council appoints Steven A. Mendoza as Acting City Manager

Posted on October 18, 2023

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven A. Mendoza as Acting City Manager. This appointment took effect on October 10, 2023, pursuant to Resolution 2017-016. Mr. Mendoza has been an integral part of the City of Santa Ana’s executive management team since May 2018, serving...

The Santa Ana City Council has agreed to accept the resignation of its City Manager, effective today, Monday, October 9, 2023.

Posted on October 9, 2023

The Santa Ana City Council has agreed to accept the resignation of its City Manager, effective today, Monday, October 9, 2023. By a vote of 6-1, with the Mayor Pro Tem voting no, the City Council accepted the resignation and approved a severance and release agreement, as provided for in the employment agreement. The City...

Mayor’s newsletter: October 2023

Posted on October 5, 2023

Sign up for my newsletter Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua. Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources. Dear Community, September was another memorable month in Santa Ana. I enjoyed attending the NHBWA’s Tacos en Tacones event, Santa Ana’s first International Older Adults Celebration, and my monthly Coffee with...

Applications open for Rental Housing Board to oversee rent and eviction ordinance

Posted on October 3, 2023

Are you interested in serving your community in a new and historic role? Apply now to serve on the City of Santa Ana’s Rental Housing Board. This seven-member board will institute policies and procedures for the administration and enforcement of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, which limits rent increases and creates new...

Ward 1 newsletter: September 2023

Posted on September 6, 2023

Dear Ward 1 Residents, Is it just me or did summer fly by this year? I guess they were right when they said, “The days are long, but the years are short!” Despite some unsavory political business that thankfully concluded in early August, the Ward 1 Team has been hard at work bringing services to...

State rescinds authorization for syringe exchange in Santa Ana

Posted on August 30, 2023

The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce that the California Department of Public Health has rescinded its authorization for the Harm Reduction Institute to provide syringe delivery services in Santa Ana and has placed the application back into “pending” status. The CDPH informed the City of its decision today, Aug. 30, in response...

Mayor’s newsletter: September 2023

Posted on August 30, 2023

Sign up for my newsletter Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua. Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources. Dear neighbors, Although the weather remains very sunny, fall is almost upon us, and the City of Santa Ana has many exciting community events for you, including Fiesta Patrias, the Moon...

Ward 3 Special Recall Election set for Tuesday, November 14

Posted on August 22, 2023

An election will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, for Ward 3 registered voters to determine if Councilmember Jessie Lopez shall be recalled (removed) from office. This election date was set by the Santa Ana City Council, pursuant to the California Elections Code, following the certification of sufficiency of the recall petition. Information on...

Ward 3 newsletter: August 2023

Posted on August 16, 2023

August 2023 Dear Ward 3 residents, As August unfolds and the humid days of summer begin to wane, I hope this newsletter finds you well and in good spirits. As we gear up for a new season, there's an undeniable feeling of change in the air – the anticipation of students returning to school, the...

California Department of Public Health approves syringe exchange in Santa Ana over City’s objections

Posted on August 14, 2023

The syringe delivery and pickup service threatens public health and safety. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has approved an application to provide syringe delivery and pickup services for drug use in Santa Ana, despite the City of Santa Ana’s strenuous opposition and concerns about public health and safety. The...

Mayor’s newsletter: August 2023

Posted on August 8, 2023

Sign up for my newsletter Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua. Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources. Dear Community, As we step into August, it's hard to believe how quickly summer has passed, and now the new school year is upon us. I want to extend my best...

A woman and man sit at a table smiling while the woman signs a piece of paper and another man stands behind them.

Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua visits Sahuayo, Mexico, to sign sister city agreement

Posted on August 7, 2023

Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua visited Sahuayo, Mexico, from July 28 through July 31 to formalize an agreement establishing Sahuayo and Santa Ana as sister cities. Dr. Manuel Gálvez Sánchez, Mayor of Sahuayo, extended the invitation to Mayor Amezcua after his recent visit to Santa Ana in June. A signing ceremony was held at Santa...

A blue electric trash and recycling collection truck is parking in a roundabout in front of palm trees.

Republic Services and City of Santa Ana lead the charge with first electric recycling and waste collection truck in Orange County

Posted on July 27, 2023

Company’s First electric truck in California to service Santa Ana residents. Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG), a leader in the environmental services industry, and the City of Santa Ana launched the company’s first electric collection vehicle (EV) in Republic’s California fleet. An industry first for Orange County, this automated side-load electric collection truck has been...

Santa Ana is first Orange County public agency to offer paid parental leave

Posted on July 20, 2023

City Council approves agreements with two City employee associations that provide the new benefit. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana is the first public agency in Orange County to offer paid parental leave to eligible employees. Under Memoranda of Understanding approved by the Santa Ana City Council, over 100 employees who are...

Mayor’s newsletter: June 2023

Posted on June 29, 2023

Sign up for my newsletter Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua. Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources. Dear Community, Happy summer! Our kids are out of school and people are spending quality time together. During this time of year, the City of Santa Ana becomes vibrant with festivals,...