News

Ward 1 newsletter: June 2023

Posted on June 2, 2023

Dear Ward 1, Summer is upon us and what a wild spring we’ve had! The rains were a very welcome surprise, helping to ensure that our reservoirs and groundwater are replenished after years of difficult droughts. I’m so thankful to serve as your presentative on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California board to help...

Mayor’s newsletter: May 2023

Posted on May 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 Community, Hello and welcome to my monthly newsletter. With warmer weather and graduation season fully underway, I want to celebrate the graduates of all ages and from all programs as...

Ward 3 newsletter: May 2023

Posted on May 17, 2023

May 2023 Dear Ward 3 residents, As we welcome the month of May, I want to take a moment to reflect on the positive work that we have accomplished so far. Through hard work and a united effort, we have achieved much for Ward 3, but we must acknowledge that there is still much work...

Mayor’s newsletter: April 2023

Posted on May 1, 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, April was another dynamic month as Mayor of our beautiful city. I am proud to update you on the many events that were celebrated and provide City Council highlights...

A drop of water splashing into a small pool of water next to an image of a woman with brown hair and a red jacket smiling.

Mayor Amezcua urges residents to take the ‘My Water Pledge’ to help conserve water and energy

Posted on April 24, 2023

Mayor Valerie Amezcua has joined mayors across the country in asking residents to make a pledge by April 30 to conserve water. The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is a friendly competition between cities to see who can be the most “water-wise" by pledging ways they plan on saving water, energy and more. Cities...

Mayor’s newsletter: March 2023

Posted on March 30, 2023

Sign up for my newsletters Dear community, Spring is upon us, and our city is brimming with activities. My office has been very busy, and we are happy to share our latest news and updates about what’s happening in our community. During this month I attended and participated in several community events. The Farmers &...

Mayor’s newsletter: February 2023

Posted on February 28, 2023

Sign up for my newsletters Dear community, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! The purpose of this newsletter is to share with you about events in the community and City Hall. My goal is to develop a strong connection between the mayor’s office and our community, and this newsletter is an important part of...

Share your ideas with our budget survey and community budget meetings

Posted on February 23, 2023

The City of Santa Ana needs the public’s input on the 2023-24 budget. The Santa Ana community has an opportunity to share their ideas about which local programs and services are most important to them and how their tax dollars should be spent. The City of Santa Ana’s Finance and Management Services Agency is hosting...

Ward 1 newsletter: February 2023

Posted on February 23, 2023

Dear Ward 1 Residents, I hope you all had a wonderful New Year! Before turning to 2023, I wanted to make sure we acknowledge the closure of 2022 with some new colleagues on the dais—Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez in Ward 2 and Santa Ana’s first woman Mayor, Valerie Amezcua! It was a historic election, and I...

Inaugural Street Sign Toppers Helen M Shipp Way and Black History Square

Ceremonial street sign toppers honor Black history

Posted on February 16, 2023

Today we unveiled our first ceremonial street sign toppers as part of the new ceremonial street naming program created by the City Council. These first toppers recognize Santa Ana’s African-American heritage, coinciding with Black History Month. Willits Street from Fairview to Bristol streets now has the honorary name Helen M. Shipp Way, for the founder...

A woman with grey hair wearing a red blouse and blue blazer smiling.

Santa Ana City Council appoints new City Clerk

Posted on February 10, 2023

Jennifer L. Hall will serve in one of three positions appointed by the Council. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council has appointed a new City Clerk who will serve as the official record-keeper and elections official for the City of Santa Ana. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the City Council unanimously authorized an...

Mayor’s newsletter: January 2023

Posted on January 31, 2023

Sign up for my newsletters Dear community, Welcome to my first newsletter as your Mayor. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep in touch with you all and share information and resources. The new year has just begun and it has already been a busy start where I have been able to serve you...

Ward 3 newsletter: December 2022

Posted on December 31, 2022

Dear Ward 3 residents, As the year comes to a close, I want to reflect on the challenges that we have faced here in Santa Ana—along with the accomplishments we’ve achieved together. Over the past two years, we have faced unprecedented difficulties due to an ongoing global pandemic. I am so proud of how...

Examples of farmhouse-style architecture for homes

City Council approves $2.2 million in funding to build new affordable homes for Santa Ana residents

Posted on December 27, 2022

Example of what homes will look like. On November 15, 2022, the Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved $2.2 million in new funding for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County to build six affordable, ownership housing units located at 1921 W. Washington Ave. The “farmhouse-style” architecture will consist of three duplex buildings and will provide...

Ward 1 – year-end newsletter

Posted on December 22, 2022

Dear Ward 1 Residents, As we close out another successful year, I want to thank all of you for your support and commitment to making our community a better place to live. It is humbling to have the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in. As the first Vietnamese American on the dais,...

Men remove food from tables under a red tent canopy on a sidewalk at night.

City, County shut down over 100 sidewalk vendors selling unsafe food in Santa Ana

Posted on December 20, 2022

The public is urged to check for health permits when buying from street vendors. SANTA ANA, Calif. – In response to community concerns, the City of Santa Ana and the Orange County Health Care Agency investigated and shut down over 100 sidewalk food vending locations that were found to be selling food unfit for human...

Santa Ana’s first female mayor and 3 City Councilmembers take office

Posted on December 14, 2022

An installation ceremony took place on December 13, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HRCe7NAnU SANTA ANA, Calif. – Santa Ana’s first female mayor and three City Councilmembers took the oath of office on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Santa Ana City Hall. Mayor Valerie Amezcua is the first woman elected to the citywide office in Santa Ana’s 153-year history. Newly...

New cannabis law lowers tax rates, allows consumption lounges and events

Posted on December 12, 2022

Santa Ana is the top destination for legal cannabis in Orange County. SANTA ANA, Calif. – Santa Ana will continue to be the top destination for legal cannabis in Orange County thanks to several new measures approved by the Santa Ana City Council that will lower tax rates and allow marijuana consumption lounges and events....

City expands administration and enforcement of renter protections for residents

Posted on December 8, 2022

The amended Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance became effective on November 18, 2022. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The amended Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance expands the administration and enforcement of renter protections for Santa Ana residents by establishing a rental housing board and a rental registry program. The amended Ordinance also...

Santa Ana’s first female mayor, City Councilmembers to take office

Posted on December 7, 2022

SANTA ANA, Calif. – For the first time in Santa Ana’s 153-year history, a woman will be sworn in as mayor next week, along with three City Councilmembers. In the Nov. 8, 2022, General Municipal Election, Santa Ana voters elected Valerie Amezcua as mayor, Benjamin Vazquez to represent City Council Ward 2, Mayor Pro Tem...