Agenda Preview: July 1, 2025 City Council Meeting

Several items on the agenda include the appointments of five Santaneros to various commissions, as well as proposals to support Santanero families affected by ICE and establish changes to the Police Oversight Commission.

Given the state of affairs in Santa Ana, The Santanero is starting to review the agendas and post a simplified version of what we're monitoring. This will also apply to the Santa Ana Unified School District Board meetings.

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ITEMS 3-7: Commission Appointments

Ward 1 Councilmember Thai Viet Phan has two appointees for the Enviornmental and Transportation Advisory Commission and Youth Commission.

Ward 4 Councilmember Phil Bacerra also has two appointees for the Arts and Culture Commission and Youth Commission.

A fifth appointee is expected to be a Santa Ana Senior Center Representative to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission as nominated by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency.

See more on these items on the agenda.

ITEM 24: Police oversight commission director selected, pending vote

Two and a half years ago, the City of Santa Ana established the Police Oversight Commission. As Councilmember appointees began attending meetings, receiving general training, and reviewing police protocols, complaints about police misconduct and other concerns involving Santa Ana Police officers continued to be investigated by the SAPD’s Internal Affairs department.

Although one of the Commission’s core responsibilities is to independently investigate such complaints, it effectively sat and collected dust, as the City had yet to hire a director to lead its work. Until now.

T. Jack Morse Jr., a senior attorney at Oppenheimer Investigations Group LLP, is expected to be appointed Director of the Police Oversight Commission.

He is expected to be paid $250,000 over the next two years from budgeted funds of the City Attorney’s office.

According to his biography on the firm’s website, Morse also serves as a reserve police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, working with detectives in the West Bureau’s Special Assault Section. He also has a history of investigating law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and other state institutions.

See more on this item on the agenda.

ITEM 26: Council to vote on filing FOIA request to ICE

On behalf of the City of Santa Ana, City Manager Alvaro Nuñez has prepared a draft Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The request is pending formal approval by the Santa Ana City Council.

If approved, the City would seek detailed records of all federal immigration enforcement actions conducted within Santa Ana since January 20, 2025.

See more on this item on the agenda.

ITEM 27: Council to consider packed resolution addressing recent ICE raids, military presence

The Santa Ana City Council will vote on a resolution calling on federal representatives to advocate for the removal of ICE, military, and other federal enforcement personnel from the city. The resolution responds to community concerns about fear, disruption, and racial profiling caused by recent immigration raids.

It criticizes the Trump administration's use of federal forces, highlights economic and social harm, and emphasizes the City's commitment to SB 54 (California Values Act) and its non-cooperation policy with ICE. It further calls on community organizations and residents to offer financial and logistical support for those affected by immigration enforcement.

See more on this item on the agenda.

ITEM 28: Council to vote on establishing $1 million fund to help families affected by ICE

The City of Santa Ana is considering creating a temporary emergency assistance program for families impacted by recent federal immigration enforcement actions. The proposal, led by Mayor Valerie Amezcua, would redirect up to  $1 million from the existing FY25–26 City Events budget to provide financial help with rent, food, utilities, and legal services.

The City may partner with consulates and local nonprofits to identify affected families and distribute aid. The plan uses already approved funds and aims to provide urgent support without increasing the city’s overall budget.

See more on this item on the agenda.

ITEM 29: Proposed amended ordinance could limit police oversight commission’s independence

The amended ordinance clarifies the structure and procedures of Santa Ana’s Police Oversight Commission but significantly limits its authority. While initially intended to provide independent review of police misconduct, the updated language now restricts the Commission to reviewing only certain serious cases—and only after Internal Affairs has completed its investigation and sustained the findings.

It cannot independently investigate most complaints or act in real time. Although the amendments improve training and access protocols, they also formalize delays and concentrate control within the SAPD and City staff, potentially weakening the Commission’s role in ensuring timely, transparent accountability.

See more on this item on the agenda.

ITEM 32: Lopez proposes ordinance to protect public from unidentified officers

Councilmember Jessie Lopez submitted a proposal requesting that the Santa Ana City Council consider an ordinance requiring all law enforcement officers operating in the city—including federal and mutual aid personnel—to wear clearly visible identification (name or badge number) and prohibit face coverings that obscure their identity during public interactions.

The proposal is in response to recent incidents involving masked, unidentified officers, especially during protests and immigration enforcement actions, which have raised public concerns about accountability, impersonation, and community trust.

See more on this item on the agenda.

Want to speak at a City meeting?

Members of the public can speak on closed session items, regular agenda items, public hearings, Housing Authority items, or general non-agenda matters in the following ways:

📬 Written Comments

• By Mail: Send to City Clerk, 20 Civic Center Plaza M-30, Santa Ana, CA 92701 at least 2 hours before the meeting.
• By Email: Send to eComment@santa-ana.org with the agenda item in the subject line. Must be sent 2 hours before the meeting.
• All written comments will be shared with Council and added to the public archive.

💻 Live Virtual Comments (via Zoom or Phone)

• Join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/315965149
• Or call (669) 900-9128 | Meeting ID: 315 965 149#
  • Raise your hand in Zoom or press *9 on your phone.
  • When called, press *6 or click the mic icon to speak.
• Deadlines for Zoom/Call
  • Closed Session: Join Zoom/Call and raise hand by 4:00 p.m.
  • Regular Agenda & General Comments: Raise hand by 5:45 p.m.
  • Public Hearings & Housing Authority Items: Raise hand by 5:45 p.m.

🏛️ In-Person Comments

• Submit a "Request to Speak" card:
  • By 4:00 p.m. for closed session items
  • By 5:45 p.m. for all other comment periods
• Your name will be called to speak at the podium in the Council Chamber.
• Late cards may be rejected without chair approval.

⚠️ Public Comment Time Notice

Speakers are usually given 3 minutes, but the Chair may shorten it based on the number of speakers and is annouced seconds before the Public Comment Period begins. The time limit can also be changed if a Councilmember motions, it's seconded, and approved by a Council vote. So, be aware of this in case you wrote a three minute comment and the time isn’t amended by the Council.

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