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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - #1May 24, 2021 Mayor Vicente Sarmiento Santa Ana City Council 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 www.kennedycommission. org 17701 Cowan Ave., Suite200 Irvine, CA 92614 949 250 0909 RE: City of Santa Ana — American Rescue Plan Act Priorities for Affordable Housing Dear Mayor Sarmiento and Councilmembers: The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on communities of color and low-income communities highlighted the disparities that exist in Orange County. The hardest hit community in OC has been the City of Santa Ana. The pandemic has highlighted the need for more support of our public health system and safety -net programs in Santa Ana, so that they have the infrastructure to respond to any future and likely pandemics. While the Hispanic community represents 35 percent of the County population, they represented 47 percent of COVID-19 cases and 38 percent of COVID deaths. For every dollar of median household income of Orange County's White population, there is 73 cents for Latino Americans. The higher proportion of deaths and cases in Santa Ana called out the vulnerability of our low wage essential workers, the overcrowded housing conditions that exist and the lack of affordable housing for low-income families in Santa Ana. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 recently passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Joseph R. Biden presents a one-time opportunity to ensure that Santa Ana residents will be able to recover from the impact of the recent pandemic and put residents in a stronger position when future pandemics occur. It also presents an opportunity for transformation, rather than return to the status quo. The Kennedy Commission requests that the Santa Ana City Council make a significant investment to help facilitate and increase affordable housing for Santa Ana's low-income families. We would like the Council to consider the following principles when allocating ARPA funding: Invest significant ARPA funding to accelerate the development of affordable housing developments to decrease overcrowding and increase affordable housing options. Use equity to guide decision making ensuring that those most impacted by the will have the underlying issues addressed and close inequity gaps for low-income residents. Leverage state, county and local funding in ARPA to have a greater impact. The ARPA provides Sanat Ana residents the opportunity to come out of the pandemic more resilient, more equitable and better prepared to deal with future pandemics. We encourage that the City invest ARPA funds to increase affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director J. LUIS CORREA 46TH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON OFFICE 2301 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2965 SANTA ANA DISTRICT OFFICE 2323 N. BHOADWAY, SurtE 319 SANTA ANA, CA 92706 (714) 559-6190 (fongress of #4e pnihb $ta es Douse of gepreseufafiires pasilirtgfon, PC 20515 HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT, MANAGEMENT, AND ACCW NTABILITT CHAIR SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER SECURITY, FACILITATION, AND OPERATIONS HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMTTEE ON IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME, TERRORISM, AND HOMELAND SECURITY HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY SUBCOMMITTEE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY, HORTICULTURE, AND RESEARCH May 24, 2021 PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS BLUE DOG COALITION NEW DEMOCRAT COALITION CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS Dear Santa Ana Mayor Sarmiento and Council, As we still deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, immigrant communities are still facing many challenges. In our community, where almost half of the population are new Americans, the stakes are high. Immigrant families face harsh and often punitive federal immigration policies that make them more vulnerable than ever to deportation and separation from loved ones. While there has been a change in the Administration, many issues remain an unfortunately the threat of deportation remains real for many families. When I entered Congress in 2017, the fast bill I introduced was the DIRE Legal Aid Act, which sought to create a federal program to ensure every immigrant facing deportation has a credible and capable immigration attorney. In the United States, we are supposed to have "due process." That's why we have public defenders. Yet, when it comes to immigration laws, due process is hard to come by. The negative effects of denying immigrants due process reverberate far beyond immigrant communities. Deportations ravage families and separate American citizens from their parents. Deporting farmworkers that harvest and process our food hurts our national security and jeopardizes our safety. Thankfully, Santa Ana recognizes the importance of due process and legal representation and has taken bold steps to blunt the impact of the Administration's harsh immigration actions on our city. Santa Ana became the first Orange County city to offer publicly -funded legal defense for immigrants facing deportation as part of Vera's SAFE (Safety & Fairness for Everyone) Network. The Santa Ana Deportation Defense Fund ensures that immigrants have some due process, and the possible opportunity to continue to be productive, taxpaying members of our society. I ask you to make the Santa Ana Deportation Legal Defense Fund a permanent line item in your budget and to allocate $300,000 for the budget year of 2021-2022. I encourage you tall to continue stepping up to protect our taxpaying community and reminding our neighbors across the state and nation what we have known for generations, the unquestionable value immigrants in our nation, and our economy. Sincerely, may, J. Luis Correa Member of Congress CORREA.HOUSE.GOV Orozco, Norma From: Jenny Rios <JennyRios@delhicenter.org> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 3:34 PM To: eComment Subject: Business Calendar Item #1: Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget Workshop Session Categories: Correspondence Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council My name is Jenny Rios, and I am the CEO of Delhi Center and a long-time resident of the City of Santa Ana. On behalf of the Delhi Center Board of Directors and the residents we serve, I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for your leadership during the most difficult time our city has ever experienced. We know you face a challenging road ahead, and we are optimistic that you will serve the residents well. The Delhi neighborhood has historically been burdened by health risks caused by land use patterns, development, and other factors detrimental to the quality of life for residents. The residents we serve have expressed to us their priorities of improving public facilities, including the Delhi Center, which we believe can play a significant role in improving the health and wellness and socioeconomic status of Santa Ana residents. We offer a wide variety of programs and services that meet the needs of the community. Of course, during the pandemic, our programs and services have been offered virtually, with the exception of our food distribution activities. Prior to the pandemic, we served about 100 residents with food pantry services, but since March of last year, we doubled the level and scope of our food distribution efforts and added other emergency relief services because of the great need. Our Board President recently emailed a letter to our City Manager with a copy to Council where we discussed in a bit more detail what we do and who we serve. We also expressed the need for funding for Delhi Center to help us reach a higher level of sustainability in order to better serve the community. We believe that a partnership between the City of Santa Ana and Delhi Center will be a mutually beneficial investment that will result in a healthier and more prosperous Santa Ana for all. Thank you for your service and commitment to the residents of Santa Ana. Sincerely, Jenny Rios, CEO Delhi Center 505 E. Central Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92707 iennvrios(@ delhicenter.ore 714-791-1185 Orozco, Norma From: Luz Martinez <airamzu183@grnaiI.corn> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 3:33 PM To: eComment Subject: Comentario del presupuesto 143 millones Categories: Correspondence Exigimos un use responsable de fondos publicos, en beneficio a residentes de Santa Ana: • inversion en programas para jovenes, dirigidos y disenados por jovenes • 5 millones minimo para facilitar el desarrollo economico en tierras publicas, impulsado por residentes de la Ciudad, en colaboracion con nuestro fideicomiso de tierras comunitarias (THRIVE Santa Ana), y grupos de la comunidad • Vivienda para personas de muy bajos ingresos, el mercadito, parques y centros comunitarios, y albergues para personas desamparadas •fondo de apoyo para pequenos comerciantes y microempresas, incluyendo cooperativas, a incluyendo apoyo para capacitacion • Apoyo para gente que se identifica como LGBTQ+ , apoyamos la inclusion de comunidad trans en la toma de decisiones sobre el use de fondos federates de estimulo economico, como escuchamos en uno de los foros de la Ciudad •fondos de apoyo para defensa de inmigrantes •fondo de apoyo legal para inquilinxs • 0 incrementos al presupuesto de la policia • centros comunitarios de arte, cultura, y teatro en espanol con temas pertinentes a la cultura Chicana/latinoamericana/centroamericana/etc Gracias, Luz Maria Martinez Orozco, Norma From: Dorian Romero <dorian@saascoalition.org> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 3:12 PM To: eComment Subject: special meeting city council- (budget) Categories: Correspondence We call for responsible use of public funds that benefit Santa Ana residents. Instead of paying for increased cost of law enforcement, of the many public health crises we see today, let us invest in prevention, in solutions that are driven by the real experts, by those directly impacted community members whose wellbeing is at the center of our future as a city. Some suggestions by community are: • investment in youth programs, intended for and designed by youth • 5 million minimum to facilitate economic development on public lands driven by residents in Santa Ana, with collaboration with our community land trust (THRIVE Santa Ana) and community organizations • Housing for low income families, mercadito, parks and community centers, and low barrier shelters for houseless people • Support fund for small merchants and micro -enterprises, including cooperatives, and including support for capacity building • Funds in support of the LGBTQ+ community, inclusion of trans community members in decision - making around use of federal stimulus funds, as we heard at the last Revive Santa Ana forum • immigrant legal defense fund • legal support fund for tenants • 0 increase for police budget • community centers for arts, culture, theatre in Spanish with themes relative to Chicana/latinamerican/centralamerican culture etc. Orozco, Norma From: Larry Gonzalez <larry@cssyes.com> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 4:29 PM To: eComment Subject: May 24, 2021 Session - Comment for Funding and Budget Please use money to create and expand green spaces. Stop giving increases in money and funding to law enforcement. They take too much from the budget as it is. The services rendered are not commensurate with the money given. Investment into the city is better done by redirecting money elsewhere. From: Santa Ana Resident and Business Owner and voter. Thank you, Larry Gonzalez Senior Account Manager 714-371-8919 Cell 714-602-1329 Direct Larry@cssyes.com I cssyes.com u* w S «II since 1992 Conveyor & Storage Solutions, Inc. Optimizing your Warehouse for Success. Conveyor & Storage Solutions is a design -build contractor providing innovative warehouse solutions, creating significant ROI and customer value. Our company culture is founded in hard work, growth and the mutual respect for customers, employees and vendors alike. Commitment to Service is our Mission. CL#730010 Orozco, Norma From: Briana Harley <bandbpro@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:31 PM To: eComment Subject: Budget Concerns for today's meeting Hello, My name is Briana. I work in Santa Ana programming music and art based community events that bring traction to businesses and city parking. I have concerns over where the city's art budget goes. Its rumored that 90% goes to just bowers museum. It's necessary that local working artists receive funding for their projects that aid businesses and communities. There's been no application for the Investing in the Arts Grant which was saved by the community and city council last July 2020. This grant isn't even that accesible since it works through reimbursement. Maybe artists and programs can't afford to front the money first. Overall, there's so many logistical hoops that hair artists from contributing to community and businesses. They're treated the same way as a big capitalist business; while these codes and paperwork's may be necessary for big business: it hurting small artists! There needs to investment into artists who are creating their work; not charging them for licenses and paperwork like they're a company ordering products in mass. If Santa Ana is truly a "City of the Arts" there needs to be real systemic changes that aid artists with work and creative opportunities, no more red tape and scraps of leftover funding! I'll be logging into the call today! -Briana Orozco, Norma From: Yenny Bernal <upliftingsoulart@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:05 PM To: eComment Subject: Santa Ana City Council Special Meeting - Public Comment Dear Mayor Sarmiento and Council Members, My name is Yenny Bernal and most of you I have had the honor of meeting in person, so you have seen and know about my commitment to the Santa Ana Arts community. I came to Santa Ana's Santora Arts building as an amateur artist and member of OCFA to showcase my art at Avantgarden Gallery in 2009. As my involvement with the local artists grew, I eventually become co -director of the gallery and hosted many nights of Artwalks before being offered a few years later the opportunity of becoming the event coordinator for DTI's monthly DTSA Artwalks on the 2" Street Promenade, hosting very successful event programming for the last 7 years. In 2013 I also began teaching art to children and seniors, and have collaborated with organizations like SA Farmers Market, OCCTAC Engage 360 after school program (20154oday), Bowers Museum, Arts OC, Chapman University, MainPlace Mall, and now own a small business in educational art events called Uplifting Soul Art Events (EST. 2015). The reason why I want to share my achievements as a migrant local artist that came to the Artists Village with nothing more than 'Puras ganas de luchar por un mejor futuro" is because I personally know of the many talented creatives that live in our city and are currently in desperate need of work opportunity and professional growth. If I could do it, why shouldn't our aspiring artists have that opportunity too? By continuing to develop an arts economy we will continue to lead the Arts and Culture World of Orange County. Imagine if 50% of our creatives could also start their own business here? this is possible with your funding and support as we expand the arts programming in our city. I am more than grateful to see that our Arts and Culture Commission will have a seat at your table to raise the questions and concerns that have been plaguing us for some years now as we see more and more galleries close, and fewer and fewer actual artists in the Artist Village. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Equity >Division Best Wishes, Yenny Bernal Uplifting Soul Art Events 949/545-1666 "Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe." Oprah Winfrey Orozco, Norma From: timrush@bhhscaprops.com Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:20 PM To: eComment Subject: Special Council Meeting 5/24/21 RE: Discussions regarding BidenBucks for Santa Ana. Dear Honorable Mayor and Council; My encouragement is that you would focus the wise INVESTMENT of the Biden Bucks into things that will yield a long term payoff vs. short term band aids. To that end, I hope you will consider investing that money, in our Zoo, our Arts Masterplan, Our Parks, Our Library System. These are things that will improve the Quality of Life for us all and raise the tide for everyone long term. Thanks for your consideration. Sincerely, Tim Rush, Wilshire Square Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 13926 Seal Beach Boulevard Seal Beach, CA 90740 (714)299-4455 California Pic*pur its Downtown Inc 200 N Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92701 May 20, 2021 City Manager, Council, Mayor and Staff City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: REVIVE SANTA ANA DOWNTOWN PRIORITIES Dear City of Santa Ana Staff and Elected Officials, During the pandemic, Downtown's self -generated revenue has been deeply impacted: parking revenues are down nearly 75% due to the coronavirus and BID fee revenues tied to business licenses may be down up to 30% as well. Items funded out of these revenues are the very same that ensure the economic vibrancy of downtown: the Clean and Safe program, public facility maintenance, marketing and events, and communication channels. Replenishing the parking fund and BID losses fits the highest criteria for the American Rescue Plan Act: the replacing of these demonstrable losses will lead to a springboard of recovery for downtown's economic engine for all. • FISCAL IMPACT OF REPLENISHING PARKING FUND: —$1,500,000 o Reinstate funds for Security Guard services: $100,000 o Reinstate Merchant Account (DTI AND SABC): $200,000 • FISCAL IMPACT OF REPLENISHING BID FUNDS (DTI AND SABC): $60,000 Beyond replenishment, we further encourage that we look for ways to "build back better" and more sustainably. During the worst of the pandemic, The City of Santa Ana Taking it Outside Guide allowed for flexible outdoor space usage that garnered CARES Act investment to build 20+ patios in downtown. We're eager to continue working with staff and electeds on more innovative approaches to activating public spaces that build back our economy and serve our residents. Sincerely, Ryan Chase President Downtown Inc.