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Home My WebLink AboutCorrespondence - Item 20 Becerra, Alexis From: Philip Serghini <philip.serghini@walmart.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 2:16 PM To: eComment; !City Clerk Subject: Self-Check Out Proposed Ordinance Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Good afternoon Mayor and City Council. I am writing in strong opposition to the proposed ordinance that would regulate self-checkout operations at grocery stores in Santa Ana. This ordinance is being pushed by a special interest group in several Southern California cities. In Long Beach, proponents touted this measure as an attempt to improve security and reduce theft. This has not been the result. The impact on operations has proven to be an unnecessary burden and there has been zero impact on theft. Customers who prefer the self-checkout have been frustrated and inconvenienced. Self-checkout is one of several options customers rely on—especially for small baskets, time sensitive trips, and customers who prefer a faster, more private transaction. A one size fits all mandate (such as fixed staffing ratios, limits on the number of self-checkout lanes, or restrictions by time of day) increases wait times, reduces flexibility during peak periods, and makes it harder for stores to respond to real time customer flow. During busy periods, self-checkout helps prevent long lines that can spill into aisles and create congestion. Restricting self-checkout can push more customers into fewer staffed lanes, increasing crowding and frustration conditions that can lead to more disputes and a less safe environment for associates and customers. This proposal would limit innovation and create compliance complexity. Retail operations vary widely by store size, layout, neighborhood needs, and customer demographics. A rigid ordinance would require constant monitoring, documentation, and enforcement decisions—diverting time from serving customers. It also risks becoming outdated as checkout technology evolves (scan and go, mobile pay, assisted checkout, accessibility features). We share the City's goals of safe stores, good customer service, and fair access. However, the proposed ordinance would reduce customer choice, increase costs, and constrain store operations without clear evidence it will achieve its intended outcomes. For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to vote "NO" on this proposal. Thank you Philip H. Serghini, Director Public Affairs &State & Local Government Relations Phone: 619.306.5644 5663 Balboa Ave. #275 San Diego, CA 92111 Philip.Serghini@Walmart.com i Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Save Money. Live Better. Great Place CertifiedTO 2 Zuniga, Diana From: Adrian Pineda < Sent: Friday, May 15, 2026 11:09 AM To: eComment Subject: Comment Opposition: Grocery Self-Checkout Ordinance Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Comment Opposition: Grocery Self-Checkout Ordinance Dear Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Council Members, As a resident of Santa Ana, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the pending ordinance regarding supermarket self-checkout restrictions scheduled for next Tuesday's meeting. California already faces the highest grocery prices in the nation. With grocery margins averaging a slim 1.7%, adding $500,000 in machine removal costs and forced staffing ratios will inevitably be passed down to local consumers on store shelves. Furthermore, limiting self-checkout to 15 items and restricting locked merchandise creates massive friction for everyday shoppers,forces employees to police checkout lanes, and drives local business online.This ordinance creates an inconvenient shopping environment and increases the cost of living in a city that already burdens its residents with the highest sales tax in Orange County. This policy explicitly benefits special interest labor groups at the direct expense of your constituents'wallets and time. I urge you to vote NO on this ordinance. Sincerely Adrian Pineda 1 Zuniga, Diana From: Mary Janet Ramos <mramos@ufcw.org> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 10:47 AM To: eComment Subject: Agenda Item 20 RE: Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments Attachments: CA Santa Ana SCO Letter of Support.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. To whom it may concern, Please find attached a letter of support for Agenda Item 20. RE: Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments. Thank you, Mary Janet(MJ) Ramos Senior Political Coordinator Legislative& Political Action Department United Food and Commercial Workers, Int'I Cell: 202-341-0599 mramos@ufcw.org Follow UFCW Votes on Instagram& Facebook 1 May 18, 2026 TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL Dear Members of the Council: RE: City of Santa Ana Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments I am writing in support of the Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self- Service Checkout Stations at Drug and Food Retail Establishments in the City of Santa Ana. This ordinance is a common-sense solution to the problems of public safety and retail theft in the city. For too long, the grocery and drug store industry has led a sustained effort to reduce labor cost with the implementation of self-checkout kiosks. This has created a domino effect that has led to systemic understaffing at the expense of workers and the public. Customers, especially seniors or people with disabilities are left to fend for themselves with technology that is not designed to accommodate their needs. Workers are left managing the entire self-checkout area by themselves while dealing with customer grievance or errors, answering phones, or unlocking items behind theft deterrent glass. Creating an unsafe environment for customers and workers. Workers are often exposed to unsafe high conflict interactions with customers. This leads to high volumes of retail theft and a loss of tax revenue for both state and local government. The 3:1 kiosk-to-worker ratio will ensure stores are adequately staffed and therefore safe for the public. Identical measures have been enacted in the cities of Long Beach and Costa Mesa, California. Similar measures were considered this year in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York City, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union(UFCW)is America's largest food worker union that represents 1.2 million workers across the entire country that work in the grocery, retail, and meatpacking sector. Our members put food on the table for communities here in Santa Ana as well as the rest of America. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, t�deruoQa 6v*do International Vice President Director, Legislative& Political Action Department Milton L.Jones,International President United Food&Commercial Workers International Union,AFL-CIO, CLC Michael S.Haggerty,International Secretary-Treasurer 1775 K Street, NW'Washington DC 20006-1598 Office(202)223-3111 ' Fax(202)466-1562'www.ufcw.org Zuniga, Diana From: OCTax Events <events@octax.org> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 1:22 PM To: eComment Subject: OCTAX Opposition to Santa Ana City Council Agenda Item 20 Attachments: 5.18.26 OCTAX Santa Ana Agenda Item (1).pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, OCTAX is writing to submit this letter in opposition to an important issue being discussed at the Santa Ana City Council final hearing on May 19, 2026. The letter is in Opposition to Agenda Item 20- Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Sincerely, Erik Weigand President Orange County Taxpayers Association i May 18, 2026 OCTax.org Orange County Taxpayers Association Santa Ana City Hall 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re:Opposition to Agenda Item 20-Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, The Orange County Taxpayers Association represents taxpayers on government tax and spending issues, advocating for policies that are fair, transparent, cost-effective, and supportive of the economy. We are writing regarding Agenda Item 20 on the May 19 Santa Ana City Council agenda; the second reading of the proposed ordinance establishing staffing and operational standards for self-service checkout stations in drug and food retail establishments.We are concerned this ordinance would impose significant restrictions on the use of self-checkout technology. We are confident that this ordinance would: 1) Increase Costs for Consumers:Self checkout machines allow stores to control costs, reduce wait times, and provide faster, more convenient service. Restricting or banning these machines results in higher staffing costs, new compliance burdens, and reduced operational efficiency. 2) Hurt Neighborhood Stores&Community Access: Small and independent retailers are often the only convenient option for families. Policies that increase operational costs and reduce efficiency make it harder for stores to stay open, keep prices affordable, and continue serving local residents. 3) Limit Consumer Choice and Convenience: Self Checkout provides a fast and convenient option for consumers making quick trips, purchasing only a few items or shopping during peak hours. Limiting these options restricts flexibility for consumers, creating one-size-fits-all approach that does not reflect the average Californians'shopping experience. The concerns outlined above such as increased costs for consumers, added burdens on neighborhood stores, and reduced convenience and choice for residents, directly conflict with our principles and would ultimately harm the taxpayers and communities this Council serves.We respectfully urge the Santa Ana City Council to reject this proposed ordinance and instead support policies that preserve affordability, consumer flexibility, and economic opportunity for all residents of Santa Ana. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Orange County Taxpayers Association-PO Box 5881 Orange,CA 92863 Sincerely, OCTax.org Orange County Taxpayers Association Erik Weigand President Orange County Taxpayers Association Orange County Taxpayers Association-PO Box 5881 Orange,CA 92863 Becerra, Alexis From: Tim James <tjames@CAGrocers.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 3:00 PM To: !City Clerk Subject: FW: Consent Calendar 20 - May 19 - Self-checkout Attachments: Santa Ana SCO LTR 5-19.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Confirming this email was received 2 hours before the meeting start and will be part of the record for Agenda Item 20 at the May 19 meeting.Thank you,Tim From:Tim James <tjames@CAGrocers.com> Date:Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 2:55 PM To: eComment@santa-ana.org <eComment@santa-ana.org> Subject: Consent Calendar 20 - May 19 - Self-checkout Please accept the attached letter regarding the Self-checkout ordinance on the May 19 agenda.Thank you for your consideration.Tim Timothy James Director, Local Government and Enterprise Risk California Grocers Association 916-448-3545 1 May 19, 2026 1 The Honorable Valerie Amezcua RW 44 Mayor, City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 c9a RE: Self-checkout Ordinance Dear Mayor Amezcua, On behalf of the Santa Ana grocery industry, I write with extreme disappointment that as an elected body and as individual community representatives you have both ignored and failed to recognize the grocery industry or any Santa Ana grocers in your consideration of Self-checkout(SCO) regulation. The complete and total lack of communication with grocers leading up to the initial hearing and since the first hearing is inexcusable. Both California Grocers Association and grocery companies operating in Santa Ana have asked for individual meetings with the Mayor and Councilmembers before ordinance passage to educate you on impacts and share alternative policy options. The asks from grocers and CGA have come in the form of public requests, emails using the city website and phone calls to publicly listed phone numbers. Only one Councilmember connected with a Santa Ana grocer after several requests, but it did not occur until the day before the Second Reading. Ignoring grocery, a critical essential industry, while regulating them with negative consequences is shameful. We had hope that you would both agree and act on the basic premise of democracy that all voices should be recognized and heard, even when disagreements occur, with the goal of making balanced and appropriate decisions. We believe the city and its councilmembers cannot claim respectful and inclusive policy making by ignoring an entire industry. Sadly, we have all been recently subjected to government systems which regulate without participation, consideration or respect. However, we never thought that same treatment would occur in California, especially Santa Ana. The proposed SCO ordinance has been proven with data and experience to negatively impact employees,consumers and grocers. Both the operational and enforcement over-regulation have essentially forced grocers to abandoned the use of SCO.While some approve, it makes it even more difficult for brick-and-mortar grocers to compete with on-line grocery sales. Consumers prefer the convenience of SCO for smaller and quick purchases. Without SCO for that convenience, it is easier for them to drive past the store and order from home. We are saddened by the treatment of the grocery industry by the City of Santa Ana. It has been shown to us again that reasonable policy discourse is not an option. Our ask is for you to not move forward with the Second Reading and pause to hear directly from grocers and consider alternative solutions. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Tim James Director, Local rnment Relations California Grocers Association cc: Councilmembers, Santa Ana City Council CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION 1 1005 12th Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95814 P: (916) 448-3545 1 F: (916) 448-2793 1 www.cagrocers.com