HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-23 Special Minutes of the Special Meeting
of the City Council
City of Santa Ana, California
January 23, 2026
SPECIAL OPEN MEETING -- 9:00 A.M.
CITY HALL, ROSS ANNEX, ROOM 1600
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES: MayorAmezcua convened the Special City Council Meeting to order at
9:16 A.M.
ATTENDANCE Councilmembers Phil Bacerra
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Jessie Lopez
Thai Viet Phan
Benjamin Vazquez
Mayor Pro Tern David Penaloza
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
City Manager Alvaro Nunez
City Attorney Sonia R. Carvalho
City Clerk Jennifer L. Hall
ROLL CALL
MINUTES: City Clerk Jennifer L. Hall conducted roll call.
Councilmembers Bacerra, Phan (arrived at 9:24 A.M.) and Vazquez, Mayor Pro Tem
Penaloza, and Mayor Amezcua were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Madisson Alarcon
CITY COUNCIL 1 JANUARY 23, 2026
ADDITIONSIDELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
MINUTES: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS- Public comments will be held during the beginning of the meeting
for ALL comments on agenda items ONLY.
MINUTE'S: None.
WORK STUDY SESSION
MINUTES:At 9:19 A.M., the Work Study Session was considered.
1. City Council Goal Setting
Department(s): City Manager's Office
Recommended Action: Provide direction.
MINUTES: City Manager Alvaro Nunez provided a brief presentation on the purpose
of the Work Study Session.
Assistant City Manager Kathryn Downs provided a presentation on financial overview,
legal liabilities, and the strategic plan update.
Assistant City Manager Minh Thai provided a presentation on fiscal obligations and
revenue growth opportunities.
RECESS
MINUTES: MayorAmezcua recessed the City Council for a break at 10:1 S A.M.
RECONVENE
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua reconvened the City Council at 10:27 A.M.
Councilmember Bacerra addressed hotels.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding economic development, employer
partnerships, being a business friendly community, and customer service.
Councilmember Penaloza spoke regarding the Willowick Golf.
Councilmember Phan spoke regarding budgeting according to the survey priorities,
cannabis funding, new businesses, a potential ballot measure, and capitalizing on
Little Saigon,
CITY COUNCIL 2 JANUARY 23, 2026 .
Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza spoke regarding TOT Tax, cannabis festival, projects in the
City that lose traction, and Willowick Golf Course.
Mayor Amezcua requested a report of new businesses under the newly hired
Economic Development Specialist and reported the three priorities the Chamber of
Commerce businesses identified: City's public relations, public safety, and the new
business permitting process.
Assistant City Manager Thai spoke regarding the City's new permitting process and
the steps being taken to help streamline the process.
Mayor Amezcua spoke in opposition to the Cannabis Festival. She spoke regarding
Willowick Golf Course, and requested research on the cost difference of contracting
fire services versus in house services, as well as unhoused services costs and how
unhoused services can be more cost effective to the City.
City Manager Nunez spoke regarding a City-wide survey, the City's sales tax, and
state funding restrictions.
Councilmember Bacerra spoke regarding fire services, permitting process, and Santa
Ana Stadium improvements.
Discussion ensued regarding hotel accommodations in the City and meeting with the
City of Garden Grove regarding the Willowick Golf Course.
RECESS
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua recessed the Work Study Session at 91:50 A.M.
RECONVENE
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua reconvened the Work Study Session at 92.38 P.M.
MINUTES: Assistant City Manager Thai spoke regarding the Riverview Golf Course
lease, improvements, and future operations.
Mayor Amezcua spoke regarding the Riverview Golf Course improvements, future
contracts, and requested the public be notified of the City's plan to take over the golf
course management.
Discussion ensured regarding strategic goals such as financial stability, modem
facilities and infrastructure, and focusing on CIP projects to reduce liability, protect
existing assets, and generate revenue.
MayorAmezcua spoke regarding safety issues and ensuring there is clarity that issues
like human trafficking, pedestrian collisions, and organized crime are not exclusive to
the unhoused population.
CITY COUNCIL 3 JANUARY 23, 2026
Councilmember Vazquez requested traffic safety information be provided at City
events.
Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza spoke regarding a potential correlation between jaywalking
decriminalization and the number of fatalities.
Discussion ensued regarding bike lanes, bike safety, and community policing.
Councilmember Phan spoke regarding police officer staffing shortages, community
policing, and setting realistic expectations.
Deputy Chief Chuck Elms spoke regarding the use of technology to assist officers on
calls and alleviate staffing shortages.
City Manager Nunez spoke regarding maximizing staffing across the Police, Public
Works, Planning and Building, and Parks and Recreation Departments.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding allocating vacant police officer positions to
positions such as dispatch, traffic officers, and mental health professionals.
Discussion ensued regarding police officer staffing and the importance of City staff
verbiage used when public facing.
Councilmember Bacerra spoke in appreciation of the productive dialogue and hoped
it will have positive results.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding the importance of employee morale and
benefits.
Mayor Amezcua thanked everyone for attending and staff for their hard work.
City Manager Nunez thanked the Councilmembers for attending and stated staff will
be in contact with those who were unable to attend the meeting.
**END OF WORK STUDY SESSION"
ADJOURNMENT—Adjourn the City Council meeting.
MINUTES: MayorAmezcua adjourned the Special City Council Meeting 9.43 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
ennifer L. all, TC
CitV Clerk
CITY COUNCIL 4 NUARY 23, 2026