Good day Santaneros! It’s Thursday, July 9th and here's The Santanero's city council meeting recap.

Public comment zap

During public comment, former Parks and Recreation Program Leader Isaias Huizar said he was laid off on June 18th after more than 12 years with the city and was given no explanation for the decision. Huizar said an employee with less seniority remained employed and alleged Parks and Recreation Supervisor America Robledo treated employees unfairly.

The Santanero confirmed Huizar served as a board member for SEIU Local 721's part-time bargaining unit, with his signature appearing on the union's January 2025 memorandum of understanding ratification. The Santanero has requested comment from City spokesperson Paul Eakins and will update this story if and when a response is received.

Separately, several speakers spoke against efforts to amend Chapter 26 of the Municipal Code, which they claim could have allowed pushcart vendors to sell within city parks. However, the item was not on Tuesday's agenda and City Manager Alvaro Nuñez added that no plans were in place to amend the code now or in the future.

Appointment of Ward 6 candidate sparks ethics debate

OS 5] A routine appointment to Santa Ana's Rental Housing Board turned into an unexpected debate after councilmembers questioned whether active candidates for elected office should be appointed to city commissions. The discussion drew accusations of political motives, prompted legal clarification from the city attorney, and later drew responses from the nominee, his opponent and the councilmember who appointed him.

Read more here.

Council approves over $500,000 in office leases as transit center storefronts remain vacant

OS 13-15] After years of largely vacant commercial space at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, the city is moving forward with more than $500,000 in office lease agreements to house several contracted services, including LAZ Parking. Councilmembers said they would prefer to see those spaces occupied by businesses serving commuters and visitors. City Manager Alvaro Nuñez said staff shares that goal, but progress has been slowed by major building repairs and shared efforts to secure a commercial broker to lease the available storefronts.

Council votes to let residents decide Measure X's future

OS 22] The City Council voted 5-2, with Councilmembers Jessie Lopez and David Penaloza opposed, to place a ballot measure before voters asking whether to continue the city's current 9.25% sales tax rate or allow Measure X to follow its original sunset schedule.

Measure X, approved by voters in 2018, added a 1.5% local sales tax that is scheduled to decrease by one-half cent in 2029, reducing the overall sales tax rate to 8.75% before expiring entirely in 2039. Because it is a sales tax, the outcome will affect nearly everyone who makes taxable purchases in Santa Ana.

During the discussion, several councilmembers and city staff acknowledged that allowing the tax to decrease as originally planned would significantly reduce city revenue and likely require deeper cuts to city services and staffing. According to city staff, financial projections estimate a substantially larger budget shortfall if the tax rate is reduced than if it remains at its current level.

Placing the measure on the Nov. 3rd ballot is expected to cost taxpayers approximately $17,000.

Take our poll on the tax measure ballot question here.

Parking study returns to spotlight during permit discussion

OS 23] Mayor Pro Tem David Penaloza asked the City Council to revisit Santa Ana's residential parking permit system, including whether permits should be issued as windshield placards instead of adhesive stickers. Penaloza said placards could make it easier for residents to transfer permits between vehicles, avoid placing stickers on their cars and reduce concerns that permit stickers identify the neighborhoods where drivers live.

City staff responded that officers already verify permits through an electronic system rather than relying solely on stickers. Penaloza also acknowledged that placards are not a perfect solution because they can be copied or misused. The discussion ultimately shifted to the city's long-awaited parking study, with several councilmembers renewing calls to publicly release the study and move forward with staff recommendations.

Council backs advocacy on utility reform bills

OS 24] The City Council provided city staff direction in moving forward with Councilmember Jessie Lopez's request to have Santa Ana support several utility reform bills pending in the State Legislature and direct the city's lobbying team to advocate for them. At Penaloza's ask, Lopez also agreed to include additional utility-related bills that had previously stalled in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

City Attorney Sonia Carvalho explained that the proposal would also explore the option for the city to hire an economist to represent Santa Ana's interests in state utility rate proceedings. The item itself does not reduce residents' utility bills but is intended to give the city a stronger voice in future policy and rate-setting discussions.

The item will come return at a later council meeting with a status update.

Meeting Summaries

Behavior Chart