HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Non-Agenda
Orozco, Norma
From:Hoiyin Ip <hoiyini@hotmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, April 04, 2021 3:04 PM
To:Sarmiento, Vicente; Penaloza, David; Phan, Thai; Hernandez, Johnathan; Bacerra, Phil;
Mendoza, Nelida; Lopez, Jessie; Ridge, Kristine; !City Clerk
Cc:Virginia Bernal; Tristan Miller-Mansey; Nathan Taft; Suvan Geer
Subject:Public Comment: SB 1383 Organic Waste Reduction
Attachments:California Organic Waste Reduction Actions.pdf
Categories:Correspondence
Dear City Council,
Jurisdictions across the state are working hard to stop dumping organic material into landfills, as called for by SB 1383
“Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Methane Emissions Reductions.” The City is negotiating with haulers,
and council formed a solid waste ad hoc committee in Mar. Thank you for your efforts! We support you to make rapid
progress to divert organics, including food waste, from landfill.
Nearly one in four Californians suffer from food insecurity. Yet more than 11 billion pounds of food is wasted every year
in California. According to LA Times, “Wasted food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills.
The typical American adult wastes about $3.50 worth of food every day.” Organic waste, including food waste,
decomposes in landfills releasing methane emissions that account for 20% of the state’s methane. Since methane is a
short-lived climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide, reducing methane has the fastest impact
on the climate crisis.
According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, organic waste reduction is one of the cheapest forms of greenhouse gas
reductions. And according to a well-known report The Business and Societal Case for Reducing Food Waste by ReFED:
“Restaurants and foodservice providers could gain the largest profit boost”
“Food waste solutions are a strong engine for job creation.”
Consumer education campaigns have the smallest cost and biggest benefit.
Santa Ana can act individually and/or partner with other cities to form regional Organic Waste Reduction Campaigns
with three excellent results:
Feed the Hungry
Conserve Natural Resources
Slow Down Climate Change
Attached is Sierra Club’s recommended actions for organic waste reduction.
SB 1383 implementation is not easy, may require raising collection fees. But it's important for environmental justice.
Please let us know how community members can help. Thanks!
Hoiyin Ip
Co-Chair, Sierra Club California Zero Waste Committee
Hoiyin.Ip@California.SierraClub.org
Facebook | Twitter
1
ORGANIC WASTE REDUCTION ACTIONS
January 27, 2021
In 2016, California passed Senate Bill 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutants that requires all jurisdictions
to ensure their waste transfer/processing facilities and operations increase diversion away from landfills of
organic waste, recover edible food, and purchase recovered organic waste products such as compost,
12
mulch, biofuels and paper. California must divert 50% of organic waste landfill disposal by 2020, and
75% by 2025. In addition, by 2025, edible food recovery must be increased by 20% for distribution to
people in need. The state as a whole In 2022, enforcement will start, penalties
for noncompliance can be assessed by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
(CalRecycle).
Besides equity issues, organic waste contributes to many environmental problems:
3
Organics decompose in landfills releasing methane emissions of which a sizable fraction escape.
According to CalRecycle, methane is a short-lived climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than
carbon dioxide and a major contributor to climate change.
Wasting food means wasting the water used to produce it, and the energy used to produce, transport and
dispose it, as well as the water and air pollution caused by these activities.
Sierra Club California supports jurisdictions to act individually and partner with each other and form
regional Organic Waste Reduction Campaigns with three outcomes:
Feed the Hungry
Conserve Natural Resources
Slow Down Climate Change
1
California Code of Regulations Article 6.0. Transfer/Processing Operations and Facilities Regulatory Requirements.
2
in this material refers to waste that is of biological origin, it does not refer
3
California Air Resources Board reports 8.63 million tons CO annually escape from CA landfills.
2eq
Page 1 zero.waste.committee@california.sierraclub.org
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS:
1. Incorporate organic waste diversion as a multi-benefit initiative including feeding hungry people,
4
producing clean energy and healthy soil, reducing climate and air pollution.
2. Immediately develop food recovery programs, which are especially important during the current
socioeconomic crisis:
a. Support and fund programs and organizations that rescue edible food and fight food insecurity.
b. Collaborate with neighboring cities and county on public education programs to prevent and reduce
food waste in businesses and homes.
3. Adopt strong ordinances for rapid reduction of organic waste, including but not limited to:
a. Implement source separated collection programs with at least three containers: organic waste,
recyclables, and trash.
b. Develop zero waste goals and implementation plans.
4. Implement programs to reduce contamination of waste stream and increase recovery rates of all
recyclables and all organics.
a. Launch public education campaigns financed by raising collection fees as authorized by SB 1383.
b. Educate people, and support home and community composting .
c. Regulate the use of pesticides and herbicides that can contaminate greenwaste.
d. Regulate the use of single-use foodware that is plastic or contains PFAS (commonly known as
5. Immediately adopt procurement policies that follow Environmentally Preferred Purchasing
guide, and conduct public education on appropriate compostable products that support organics
diversion programs.
6. Require anaerobic digestion and compost facilities report results of regular surveys for methane leaks.
7. Regularly and prominently post progress reports online documenting the status of their efforts on
reducing contamination, increasing recovery rates, diminishing methane from all facilities including
landfills, purchasing of recycled products, etc.
SB 1383 implementation not only will cut greenhouses by four million tons annually, but is also projected
to generate $17 billion in economic benefits and create 4,500 temporary and 11,700 permanent jobs.
4
Jurisdictions must oppose any efforts to delay or derail the implementation of SB 1383.
Page 2 zero.waste.committee@california.sierraclub.org
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Credit: CR&R Environmental Services Credit: American Biogas Council
Anaerobic digestion (AD) uses anaerobic bacteria to digest the organics in the absence of oxygen (in a
completely closed system) and produce methane (similar to the process that produced fossil natural gas millions
of years ago) plus CO. After the digestion, there remains a liquid and solid digestate full of high quality nutrients
2
useful as compost, soil amendment, or liquid or dry fertilizer.
Credit: Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority dba RecycleSmart
Composting uses different aerobic bacteria to digest the organics in the presence of oxygen, which does not
produce methane (but does release an amount of CO similar to that produced in AD). The digestion produces a
2
solid compost, which can be used as a soil amendment or dry fertilizer. However, if the composted material is
wet (such as food waste), it needs considerable energy to power fan-blown air to constantly circulate through
5
the compost pile or windrow to keep the anaerobic bacteria from digesting the food and releasing methane.
Soil amendments from organic waste streams in California represent a potential $200-400 million market in
6
California, exceeding the likely value of energy products from the resource.
Both AD and composting can be done including wastes from humans and industry, such as sewage wastewater
7
sludge, but in that case the resulting fertilizer may have contaminants including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals,
etc., which can make it unusable on food crops and reduce its profitability. So it is preferable to process food
waste and green waste separately from sludge to produce compost suitable for organic farming and gardening.
5
Production of large amounts of methane from a composting facility in the Bay Area was observed in 2020 by planes from the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
6
CA Short-Lived Climate Reduction Strategy (2017) p. 31.
7
A recent study of composting examined its ability to break down 10 pharmaceutical and personal-care product residues in
biosolids collected from a wastewater treatment plant in San Diego. Fatih Büyüksönmez, of San Diego State University's
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, found that composting for 45 days reduced residues of 9 out of 10
products by at least 85 percent.
Page 3 zero.waste.committee@california.sierraclub.org
Orozco, Norma
From:ResidentsFrist <ResidentsFrist@protonmail.com>
Sent:Friday, April 02, 2021 8:47 AM
To:eComment; acadmin@ac.ocgov.com; info@ac.ocgov.com; Sarmiento, Vicente; Phan,
Thai; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Mendoza, Nelida; Flores, Rosa; Penaloza, David
Subject:Complaint About Council Member Penaloza
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I write to you with grave concern over the performance of Council Member Penaloza. Council Member
Penaloza has no common sense, no money sense and does not look out for the people who live in Orange
County.
Does Council Member Penaloza share with you Mayor what is going on at the Transportation Corridor Agency
and Toll Roads, is he providing updates to the Council?
Does Council Member Penaloza share how he only votes YES month after month with no questions concerns or
thoughts? Why is Council Member Penaloza allowing the toll road debt to grow, when the agency said they
would pay down the debt and make the toll roads free.
Is Council Member Penaloza updating you at the council meetings on the crazy, obscene contracts he approves?
Just one example Nossoman the toll roads law firm that created the Toll Roads in 1987, is also paid over 4
million dollars a year to be council and attend these monthly board meetings, they are also paid for lobbying for
the toll roads and also paid for the ongoing 20 years of toll roads litigation. The toll road has been in litigation
for 21 years over the same matter, something does not smell right here.
Did Council Member Penaloza share the Orange County Grand Jury Report or that Supervisor Bartlett was
paying her campaign manager through the TCA toll roads, did he share that his associate Tony Beall shows no
assets on his disclosure forms yet is paying 2 million in cash for a beachfront home in Cabo? Council Member
Penaloza does not seem to care or mind he votes yes no matter what.
The Toll Roads for the rich are not a good policy plan, the toll roads were to be built then paid off and FREE.
Instead of being responsible with taxpayers money and the 4 BILLION dollars the toll roads owe, Mr. Penaloza
has allowed debt to grow.
What does Santa Ana get from the toll roads? How important is the toll roads to your residents?
Mr. Penaloza, your poor performance on this Board suggests the City Council should appoint a new Board
member who is able to ask questions and vote for what is best for residents, not just what is best for the lawyers
and the insider contracts you ensure are awarded.
Why is the Santa Ana even part of this mismanaged toll roads government agency, what benefit does it bring to
the residents in Santa Ana?
Council Members please hold Mr. Penaloza accountable for the growing debt, he does not appear to have the
skills it takes to tackle financial problems or being fiscally responsible. Please replace him at once and think
about leaving the toll roads, residents deserve mobility not sitting in traffic because they don’t drive a Lexus.
1
Sent with ProtonMail Secure Email.
2
Banuelos, Lynda
From:PSV <jmil481@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, April 05, 2021 9:12 AM
To:eComment
Subject:Re: Our Neighborhoods and, "Thank You."
This is a resend as given to me by "Daniel" as I understand
your email to all councilmembers has changed.
Thank you.
On Mon, Apr 5, 2021 at 8:53 AM PSV <jmil481@gmail.com> wrote:
Please see below as posted on Next Door. I think it is
important for you to hear it from the neighborhood
posters what is being said, thought about, etc. I know
many have restrained from posting in depth thoughts on
our current city/county matters. So, perhaps I step out in
faith that the below will be well taken as an attempt at
being constructive.
However, before you read one of the below posts, I want
to commend our Mayor for his sincere, heart-felt
compassionate post regarding the 9-year old boy who lost
his life. Thank you, Mayor.
I know the City is doing it's very best regarding criminal
activity in our neighborhoods under the current political
and social circumstances. Also, people are more than
concerned about how our city is going to prepare/deal
with the coming flood of undocumented people and
children that WILL end up in our city. I hope our city will
"hold the line." There is no way many can have our taxes
increased and stay in the City. I have been here for over
1
40 years, and I love Santa Ana for many
reasons. However, with the infra-structure (gas, water,
electric, refuse, social services, etc.) not ever built for so
many people living in one
house/apartment/garage/streets and so many who are not
legal, documented, or working paying taxes, having
babies in our hospitals without any means of supporting
these children except by our tax payer social services
generosity, we cannot handle the continued rise in
medical, utilities, police, fire, ambulance and increase in
personnel across the board to cover the density of this
population of people and civil and federal criminal activity
who are under the radar, and yet more to come, on our
incomes.
Our sympathies are with many, and as S.A. residents who
deal with this every day (and I do through my own
activity, of which Councilman Bacerra can confirm) I
understand the issues. To boot, my grandparents were
poor immigrants, my father first generation, and I know
the hardships and stories - my relatives were more than
dirt poor coming to America (legally). However, I hope
you will address issues stated here, as I guarantee you,
the word out there is that those who have been here a
long time will move, as I am contemplating if taxes,
utilities, etc. goes beyond my retirement budget that I
worked for over 50 years on a clerical salary from which I
"saved" for that retirement day, and that I was always
told was beyond what I would need to retire. I don't want
to leave, but then I won't be getting any services or
considerations on my electric bill, my taxes, or water bill
that amount to anything of substance, as I have done
2
already. I am a senior citizen and will not be able to stay
in California at all.
So, having said the above, below is the post you should
see from Next Door:
"I'm sure everyone in "our area" Bristol, Alton,
Segerstrom, MacArthur, Sunflower, Edinger, Main, Bear,
etc. has been hearing almost every night even at 3-4 in
the morning, police all over the place. I'm sure also for all
the residential side streets in S.A. who report what's going
on in their neighborhoods. I'm so grateful for our police
working this dangerous shift.... so much activity going
on...more to come, I'm sure with the border open, the
crims let out (not talking about the ligit homeless who
need our help).
Yesterday, I was at Bristol Plaza about 4:00 and I
had no less than FOUR scary people come up to ask
me for money...they were NOT from around
here...and I got to thinking how easy it would be to
get car jacked! OR mugged as an easy target as a
woman alone! I see suspicious people just sitting in
cars watching us. I look around me all the time
when getting into or out of my car...and keep doors
locked, windows up! when sitting in the parking lot
taking a quick look at my cell messages. The crims
come right up to our window when you are sitting
alone in the car. I would never have imagined I
would ever be doing this 10 years ago...it just keeps
getting worse.
I notice too so many posts of people breaking in, going
into people's garages, etc. has increased. Thanks to all
3
who post what is happening...we must continue to do that
to warn our neighborhoods, and make sure City Council,
Police know what is happening and where...it is only going
to get worse.
Pray we do NOT become like Northwest cities where police
are quitting, or like at the border where federal employees
are leaving due to the danger and overwhelming flood of
people. These children are being trafficked!!!. God help
us and them! It sickens me what is happening to
these kids... while the cartels are smuggling in more than
ever Fantenyl - more drugs on our street and more people
who take this stuff enabled to do more criminal actions
that can take our lives as long as they can break in and
rob us for the money to pay for it.
Be safe as you can, people...don't walk alone...keep
everything locked down...I got faith in all of us to
overcome..AND I just heard police sirens near Bristol and
Segerstrom for the umpteenth time in the last 24 hour
period!"
May God Bless America...
Vivian Pallack
Santa Ana Resident over 40 years.
cc'd Claudio Gallegas for distribution to Congressman Lou
Carrea
4
Banuelos, Lynda
From:nora coyle <lcsw89@yahoo.com>
Sent:Wednesday, March 31, 2021 2:51 PM
To:eComment
Subject:Santa Ana: Pass a climate emergency
Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor Sarmiento,
Fossil fuels pose a threat not only to our planet, but to our community in Santa Ana. Study after study has shown that
extracting, transporting, refining, and burning fossil fuels harms environmental and human health – and new evidence
shows that toxic air pollution from fossil fuels also makes people more vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID.
The truth is, fossil fuel expansion is undercutting any other work we do on climate action and public health and safety,
locking in decades of reliance on fuels dangerous to Santa Ana and the planet.
I’m writing to you today to ask you to please pass a climate emergency resolution that includes a SAFE commitment and
an endorsement of the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Passing this resolution will demonstrate your
intent to keep our community healthy and safe. You’ll be committing to taking local action to explore policies that stop
fossil fuel expansion and speed up the clean energy transition, while joining a powerful call for global action against the
climate crisis.
You can learn more about the SAFE Cities movement at https://www.stand.earth/safe and can view a sample climate
emergency template with language demonstrating intent to pass SAFE policies and endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty here: https://www.stand.earth/SAFEtemplate.
As a member of the Santa Ana community, I’m asking: Will you show leadership on this critical issue and pledge to pass a
resolution that commits our community to explore SAFE policies and endorses the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty? Together, we can keep Santa Ana and the planet safe from fossil fuels, speed up the shift to clean,
renewable energy, and create good, long-term jobs.
Thank you,
nora coyle, 92807
1
Banuelos, Lynda
From:Barbara Johns <ford_674x4s_lady78@yahoo.com>
Sent:Wednesday, March 31, 2021 6:30 AM
To:eComment
Subject:Santa Ana should phase out fossil fuels and fast track clean energy solutions
Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor Sarmiento,
Fossil fuels pose a threat not only to our planet, but to our community in Santa Ana. Study after study has shown that
extracting, transporting, refining, and burning fossil fuels harms environmental and human health – and new evidence
shows that toxic air pollution from fossil fuels also makes people more vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID.
The truth is, fossil fuel expansion is undercutting any other work we do on climate action and public health and safety,
locking in decades of reliance on fuels dangerous to Santa Ana and the planet.
I’m writing to you today to ask you to please pass a climate emergency resolution that includes a SAFE commitment and
an endorsement of the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Passing this resolution will demonstrate your
intent to keep our community healthy and safe. You’ll be committing to taking local action to explore policies that stop
fossil fuel expansion and speed up the clean energy transition, while joining a powerful call for global action against the
climate crisis.
You can learn more about the SAFE Cities movement at https://www.stand.earth/safe and can view a sample climate
emergency template with language demonstrating intent to pass SAFE policies and endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty here: https://www.stand.earth/SAFEtemplate.
As a member of the Santa Ana community, I’m asking: Will you show leadership on this critical issue and pledge to pass a
resolution that commits our community to explore SAFE policies and endorses the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty? Together, we can keep Santa Ana and the planet safe from fossil fuels, speed up the shift to clean,
renewable energy, and create good, long-term jobs.
Thank you,
Barbara Johns, 17109
1
Banuelos, Lynda
From:Julie duBois <julesdubois84@hotmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, March 30, 2021 11:36 PM
To:eComment
Subject:Santa Ana should endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor Sarmiento,
Fossil fuels pose a threat not only to our planet, but to our community in Santa Ana. Study after study has shown that
extracting, transporting, refining, and burning fossil fuels harms environmental and human health – and new evidence
shows that toxic air pollution from fossil fuels also makes people more vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID.
The truth is, fossil fuel expansion is undercutting any other work we do on climate action and public health and safety,
locking in decades of reliance on fuels dangerous to Santa Ana and the planet.
I’m writing to you today to ask you to please pass a climate emergency resolution that includes a SAFE commitment and
an endorsement of the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Passing this resolution will demonstrate your
intent to keep our community healthy and safe. You’ll be committing to taking local action to explore policies that stop
fossil fuel expansion and speed up the clean energy transition, while joining a powerful call for global action against the
climate crisis.
You can learn more about the SAFE Cities movement at https://www.stand.earth/safe and can view a sample climate
emergency template with language demonstrating intent to pass SAFE policies and endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty here: https://www.stand.earth/SAFEtemplate.
As a member of the Santa Ana community, I’m asking: Will you show leadership on this critical issue and pledge to pass a
resolution that commits our community to explore SAFE policies and endorses the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty? Together, we can keep Santa Ana and the planet safe from fossil fuels, speed up the shift to clean,
renewable energy, and create good, long-term jobs.
Thank you,
Julie duBois, 91304
2
Banuelos, Lynda
From:Aryn Maxwell <aryn.maxwell02@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, March 27, 2021 8:54 AM
To:eComment
Subject:Santa Ana should endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor Sarmiento,
Fossil fuels pose a threat not only to our planet, but to our community in Santa Ana. Study after study has shown that
extracting, transporting, refining, and burning fossil fuels harms environmental and human health – and new evidence
shows that toxic air pollution from fossil fuels also makes people more vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID.
The truth is, fossil fuel expansion is undercutting any other work we do on climate action and public health and safety,
locking in decades of reliance on fuels dangerous to Santa Ana and the planet.
I’m writing to you today to ask you to please pass a climate emergency resolution that includes a SAFE commitment and
an endorsement of the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Passing this resolution will demonstrate your
intent to keep our community healthy and safe. You’ll be committing to taking local action to explore policies that stop
fossil fuel expansion and speed up the clean energy transition, while joining a powerful call for global action against the
climate crisis.
You can learn more about the SAFE Cities movement at https://www.stand.earth/safe and can view a sample climate
emergency template with language demonstrating intent to pass SAFE policies and endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty here: https://www.stand.earth/SAFEtemplate.
As a member of the Santa Ana community, I’m asking: Will you show leadership on this critical issue and pledge to pass a
resolution that commits our community to explore SAFE policies and endorses the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty? Together, we can keep Santa Ana and the planet safe from fossil fuels, speed up the shift to clean,
renewable energy, and create good, long-term jobs.
Thank you,
Aryn Maxwell, L9z 2y2
3
Banuelos, Lynda
From:Barbara Lastfogel <safewarm@aol.com>
Sent:Tuesday, March 23, 2021 5:48 PM
To:eComment
Subject:Santa Ana: Pass a climate emergency
Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor Sarmiento,
Fossil fuels pose a threat not only to our planet, but to our community in Santa Ana. Study after study has shown that
extracting, transporting, refining, and burning fossil fuels harms environmental and human health – and new evidence
shows that toxic air pollution from fossil fuels also makes people more vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID.
The truth is, fossil fuel expansion is undercutting any other work we do on climate action and public health and safety,
locking in decades of reliance on fuels dangerous to Santa Ana and the planet.
I’m writing to you today to ask you to please pass a climate emergency resolution that includes a SAFE commitment and
an endorsement of the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Passing this resolution will demonstrate your
intent to keep our community healthy and safe. You’ll be committing to taking local action to explore policies that stop
fossil fuel expansion and speed up the clean energy transition, while joining a powerful call for global action against the
climate crisis.
You can learn more about the SAFE Cities movement at https://www.stand.earth/safe and can view a sample climate
emergency template with language demonstrating intent to pass SAFE policies and endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty here: https://www.stand.earth/SAFEtemplate.
As a member of the Santa Ana community, I’m asking: Will you show leadership on this critical issue and pledge to pass a
resolution that commits our community to explore SAFE policies and endorses the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-
Proliferation Treaty? Together, we can keep Santa Ana and the planet safe from fossil fuels, speed up the shift to clean,
renewable energy, and create good, long-term jobs.
Thank you,
Barbara Lastfogel, 97301
4
Banuelos, Lynda
From:timrush@bhhscaprops.com
Sent:Sunday, March 28, 2021 6:44 PM
To:eComment
Cc:James Henerey; Valentin, David
Subject:Street Racing, State Legislation for automated cameras to catch offenders
Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Council;
th
Last week (March 14)) in the Los Angeles Times newspaper there was an extensive article about this problem which
needlessly kills and injures hundreds of people each year. Studies are being conducted by the City of LA’s Traffic Bureau
to determine if speed automated camera’s might be a solution in areas where these types of accidents are more
common. It would involve of course proper signage to warn drivers they are entering an area that is subject to these
types of cameras. No doubt there are legal issues to resolve but automation is far cheaper than hiring more officers to
patrol the many streets in town where high speed cars are killing our residents. My hope is you will examine this issue
and work with our police department to find a solution.
Sincerely,
Tim Rush, Wilshire Square
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
13926 Seal Beach Boulevard
Seal Beach, CA 90740
(714) 299-4455
1
Santiago Creek
Greenway.AiTtance
City of Santa Ana City Council and Planning Commission February 16, 2021
22 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: General Plan Update related to Santiago Creek
Officers and The Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance (SCGA) (a local non-profit organization active since
Directors 1991) is dedicated to restoration of the entirety of the Santiago Creek and creation of a
Pamela Galera multi -purpose trail system along its banks. Please see our website at
President httl2s://www.santiagogreenway.oriz for more information about our organization. We have
Addison Adams been involved in the restoration of the Santiago Creek and the construction of an 8.5-mile
Vice -President trail system along its banks through the City of Orange.
John T. Moore
secretary
We request that the City of Santa Ana indicate on the general plan update that the Santiago
Vacant
Treasurer
Creek is a blue line stream and an important resource to the community. We further
request that a multi -purpose trail alignment be added along the creek from the terminus
near the 5 freeway connecting to the Santa Ana River Trail. These items should be indicated
Advisory Board
on most, if not all, of the General Plan Elements. .
Marcel H.
A grade separated Class 1 Bike Path and adjacent Riding and Hiking Trail is much safer
DeCruyenaere,
Founder
than forcing bike riders and pedestrians to interface with vehicular traffic. This is an
opportunity to address environmental justice, and to better serve disadvantaged
Jim Donovan
National Parks
engineering, communities. We understand the creek route involves en
g' g, property rights, and
service
access issues. The general plan only requires an approximate alignment of these proposed
Shirley Grindle
elements and the engineering and exact layout do not need to be determined at this time.
Campaign Reform
Activist
The largest contiguous property of the creek is under public ownership between the
terminus of the existing trail to the Santa Ana River, thus there are few conflicts or reverse
Peter Wetzel
Trails Advocate
condemnation issues. In addition, new technologies and construction techniques could
make the implementation of these facilities more feasible in the future.
Marlyn Moore
Treasurer M OC
Friends of Music
It is essential to include these alignments in the general plan, because it enables the city
g g P to
qualify for grant funds, which will reduce the financial burden on city resources.
Jeanne Carter
Directorofthe El
Mode
Modena HS Nature
Based on the city's survey of the creek between the underpass and Fisher Park, several
Center
encroachments onto city -owned property by private parties were identified (which if not
W Michael short
corrected become an illegal "gift of public funds" to the encroaching parties). We object to
Director, Orange
any private property encroachments on publically owned land and oppose any efforts by
County Master
Choral
nearby property owners to block public access, or otherwise attempt to confiscate the
Y P P tY P P
beauty and enjoyment of the creek for their exclusive use.
Although the Santa Ana River is identified as a "blue line" on the General Plan maps,
Santiago Creek, the major tributary to the Santa Ana River, is not even shown. The creek is
a significant attribute to the city and merits being included on your maps. The creek has
tremendous opportunity for beauty and public use, particularly in this remaining missing
linkage of the existing trail system. This linkage is critical to increasing public use of the
remainder of the trail, and the proposed alternate route through streets and intersections
is a poor substitute. The creek is a natural place for a public use trail, as evidenced by the
trails along the remainder of Santiago Creek as well as the Santa Ana River. Planning for
trails along the creek in this area supports the core values of health, equity, sustainability,
culture, and education, which should be reflected in all of the general plan elements.
We respectively request that the City of Santa Ana include in the General Plan Update:
1. A blue line designating the Santiago Creek on all maps;
2. Class 1 Bike Path and Riding and Hiking Trail along the creek from the terminus near
the S freeway to the Santa Ana River Trail;
3. The goal of restoring the Santiago Creek.
Our association has had great success collaborating with the City of Orange to restore
portions of the creek and create 8.5 miles of bikeway along the creek. It would be our hope
that this important work continue into the City of Santa Ana. Your residents deserve a
beautiful green trail along the creek connecting upstream parks with the Santa Ana River
Trail and the parks and beaches it reaches.
We hope to collaborate with, and be a resource to, the City of Santa Ana. We offer our support
in obtaining grant funding for the Santiago Creek corridor. Please notify us of upcoming
meetings regarding the Santiago Creek. If you have any questions, please contact the SCGA
president, Pamela, directly at (714) 981-6847 or at pamelagalera85@gmail.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
rely,
Pamela M. Galera, President
John Moore, Secretary
Ad son Adams, Vice President
Shirley L. VGd dvisory "Board Member
CC:
Kristine Ridge, City Manager
Minh Thai, Executive Director, Planning and Building Agency
Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director, Public Works