City of Santa Ana, CA
10/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2026 16:28
COSAS Newsletter: October 16, 2026
In the Oct. 16, 2026, edition of COSAS (City of Santa Ana Stories), learn about Santa Ana winning the most prestigious statewide award for a municipality, how to share your input through our Community Priorities Survey and important Election Day information. Plus, join us to celebrate the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center and the Main Library's grand reopening, explore upcoming Halloween and Día de los Muertos festivities, and discover more City events, news and resources.
Spotlight Photo
Fire Station 75 Open House
Photo Credit: Orange County Fire Authority Division 6
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager's Highlights
City of Santa Ana receives 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Planning and Environmental Quality
The City of Santa Ana has received the 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the area of Planning and Environmental Quality from the League of California Cities. This award, considered California's highest municipal honor, recognizes the City's innovative efforts to address longstanding environmental inequities in the historic Logan and Lacy neighborhoods.
The City won the award for its comprehensive Transit Zoning Code update and was one of only 12 cities statewide selected from among 161 submissions. Considered California's highest municipal honor, the Helen Putnam Award recognizes cities for their outstanding efforts and innovative programs to improve quality of life and delivery of services in their communities.
The League of California Cities presented the award to the Santa Ana City Council and City staff at the City Council's Oct. 6, 2026, meeting. Watch the video to learn more about the City's work. Read more about the award.
News
Six families become new homeowners with help from Habitat for Humanity, City of Santa Ana
Six local families are now Santa Ana homeowners, thanks to Habitat for Humanity and support from the City of Santa Ana.
The families received the keys to their new Washington Avenue homes during a special Dedication Day ceremony held Oct. 3. After months of hard work, partnership, and perseverance, these families are now one step closer to building the future they've dreamed of.
During construction, 1,177 volunteers contributed over 13,000 hours to build the homes from the ground up. And thanks to the generosity of AAA Auto Club Enterprises, each of the new homeowners also received a vehicle.
The City of Santa Ana was proud to support this housing project. The Santa Ana City Council approved investing $2.2 million in Inclusionary Housing Funds to help make these six affordable homeownership opportunities possible.
Santa Ana is among the few Orange County cities that invest substantial local housing resources directly in affordable homeownership, in addition to offering down-payment assistance.
Over the past five years, Santa Ana has provided over $5 million in down payment assistance through 47 homebuyer loans, and is poised to give even more support in the future. Through these homeownership opportunities, the City is investing in the future of the Santa Ana community.
Take our Community Priorities Survey
Share your voice! Take our Community Priorities Survey to share which City services and programs are most important to you. Your feedback helps guide our budgeting and planning processes for 2026 and beyond.
Fill out the survey and learn more
Travel Santa Ana's Día de los Muertos guide
Travel Santa Ana has compiled an amazing list of Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) events and activities in Santa Ana. This is an important Mexican holiday in which we honor and remember those who have passed on, and Santa Ana is the center of these celebrations in Orange County.
Find Día de los Muertos events
Nov. 3 General Election information
The time to vote in the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election is here. As of Oct. 5, the Orange County Registrar of Voters had mailed ballots to all registered voters in Orange County and ballot drop boxes are now open.
Key dates:
- Oct. 19 - Registration deadline for the 2026 General Election
- Oct. 24 - Select Vote Centers will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 - All Vote Centers will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Nov. 3 - On Election Day, all Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
The City of Santa Ana's Nov. 3 General Municipal Election will be for the Mayor, for a term of two (2) years; and three (3) Councilmember Ward Seats (Ward Nos. 2, 4 and 6), each for a term of four (4) years. The election will also be for one (1) Measure placed on the ballot by the Santa Ana City Council.
Veterans Day on Nov. 11: City Hall closed, no street sweeping
In observance of Veterans Day, Santa Ana City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11. There will be no street sweeping on this day. Regular City Hall hours and street sweeping schedules will resume on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Tales From the City
City staff join students for Walk & Roll to School Day 2026
City of Santa Ana employees joined students, families and community groups at Santa Ana Unified School District's Adams Elementary School to celebrate Walk & Roll to School Day 2026, promoting safe, healthy and active ways to get to school.
Staff from the City's Traffic Engineering, Parks and Recreation and Police departments cheered on students as they walked and biked to campus, shared safety resources and connected with families.
Events like Walk & Roll to School Day highlight the importance of pedestrian safety, active lifestyles and strong partnerships between the City, local schools and families.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event a success!
City Council Meetings
The next regular Santa Ana City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. for closed session and at 5:30 p.m. for the open meeting in Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza.
City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the closed session beginning at 5 p.m. or earlier. The open meeting session begins at 5:30 p.m. Meetings have both in-person and virtual participation and attendance and are live-streamed on the City's YouTube channel and our TV channel, CTV3 (channel 3 on Spectrum.)
If you'd like to provide public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, you can email, attend in person, or join the Zoom webinar online or by phone.
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications.
Events
Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.
See the Parks and Recreation class catalogue here.
Santa Ana Vision Zero Update Plan workshop - October 16
Thank you to all who have provided feedback for Santa Ana Vision Zero as we work to create a safer Santa Ana for all! Vision Zero is an initiative to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries in Santa Ana by 2040 and to promote other forms of transportation. Join us for the final community workshop to see what recommendations we have developed.
- Friday, Oct. 16, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Christ Our Savior Catholic Parish, 2000 W. Alton Ave.
Boo at the Zoo - October 17-18 & 24-25
Costumes, treats and zoo rides are back this October for a family friendly fun holiday at Santa Ana Zoo! A special event ticket is required. Cost is $10 for Zoo members and Santa Ana residents, and $25/$20 for non-resident adults and children. Ages 2 and younger get in free.
- Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Memorial Park Aquatic Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - October 17
Join us to celebrate the completion of our new, innovative Memorial Park Aquatic Center, take a tour and try out the pool! It features both a competition pool and a recreational pool with a water slide, locker rooms, a community room, seating around the pool deck, and shade structures with solar panels, which will power the all-electric facility.
- Saturday, Oct. 17, noon
- 2102 S. Flower St.
Secretary of State Pop-Up Shop - October 21
The California Secretary of State's Office is bringing in-person apostille, domestic partnership registration and notary services to Santa Ana. Check the event information before visiting to learn what documents and payment to bring.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office, 601 N. Ross St., first floor, Room 103
SAPD Trunk or Treat - October 22
Santa Ana Police Department's annual Trunk or Treat is back! Wear your costume, bring your treat bag, and get ready for a night of family-friendly Halloween fun.
- Thursday, October 22, 6-8 p.m.
- Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza
Harvest Festival at El Salvador Park - October 23
Come celebrate the fall season with your community at the Harvest Festival! Enjoy family-friendly fun, activities and seasonal festivities.
- Friday, Oct. 23, 4-6 p.m.
- El Salvador Park, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
Main Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - October 24
Join us to celebrate the grand reopening of our newly renovated Main Library following a two-year modernization project! Enjoy special performances and activities before and after the ceremony.
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- 26 Civic Center Plaza
Jerome Center Spooktacular - October 24
Bring the family to Jerome Recreation Center for the annual Spooktacular to celebrate the Halloween season with your neighbors. The event is free and open to all ages, with a costume contest, a haunted house and more fun activities.
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 2-5 p.m.
- Jerome Recreation Center, 726 S. Center St.
Día de los Muertos: Magic of the Altars - October 30
Join us for a beautiful cultural celebration honoring our loved ones at the annual Roosevelt-Walker Dia de los Muertos event.
- Friday, Oct. 30, 4-6 p.m.
- Roosevelt Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
Día de los Muertos Family Festival - November 1
Experience Día de los Muertos through music, dance, art, and traditional foods. Bring a photo for the community ofrenda (memorial altar), and enjoy live performances.
- Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Quarterly Bulky Item Drop-Off Day - November 7
Properly dispose of your large unwanted household items for free, such as furniture, mattresses, carpets, and non-donatable clothes, bedding, books, or toys. This event is free to Santa Ana residents, and no appointment is necessary. Proof of Santa Ana residency will be required.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. - noon.
Available at:
- Heritage Park, 1736 E. McFadden Ave. Learn more
- Portola Park, 1700 E. Santa Clara Ave. Learn more
DTSA ArtWalk - November 7
Spend an evening exploring galleries, meeting artists and discovering the creative businesses of Downtown Santa Ana. The City of Santa Ana is proud to sponsor DTSA ArtWalk.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 5-10 p.m.
- Downtown Santa Ana
Free admission to local attractions for Santa Ana residents
Did you know that Santa Ana residents can enjoy free admission to popular local attractions through special community programs and partnerships? Check out these deals to start planning your next adventure:
- The Santa Ana Zoo offers free admission to Santa Ana residents on the third Sunday of every month. ID is required for adults. Click here for rules and dates.
- Bowers Museum offers free general admission to all Santa Ana residents on Sundays. Proof of residency is required. Get more details here.
Get Involved
Apply to serve on a Santa Ana board or commission
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity and the ability to advise on City business? The City of Santa Ana is looking for passionate residents to serve on our Boards & Commissions! The City has current vacancies on multiple Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Submit an application today for consideration by the City Council: santa-ana.gov/boards-and-commissions. Questions: [email protected].
Resources
Report issues with the mySantaAna app
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the City of Santa Ana government in the palm of your hand! Download the app to quickly and easily report issues such as potholes, graffiti, downed trees and much more. The new app is now fully functional in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Immigration, Food and Community Resources
The City of Santa Ana provides a variety of resources and information about non-City services and programs to help the community.
Know Your Rights: Legal services and immigration information
Ayuda Sin Fronteras: Assistance for residents impacted by immigration enforcement
ImmDef Legal Services: The City of Santa Ana has a contract with Immigrant Defenders Law Center to help residents facing deportation.
Food Assistance: Santa Ana and Orange County food distributions and assistance programs
Community Resources: A variety of other programs and resources are available.
City Hall Friday and Holiday Closures
Santa Ana City Hall is open Monday through Thursday and every other Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. City Hall and non-essential City offices are closed on alternating Fridays, in addition to several observed holidays throughout the year.
See the holiday and closed Friday schedule
See our holiday street sweeping schedule
Who do I call at City Hall?
Important phone numbers:
- City Hall main line: (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement: (714) 667-2780
- Graffiti Hotline: (877) 786-7824
- Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
- Public Works hotline (street sweeping, trees): (714) 647-3380
Find more phone numbers for all City services
Utility services
- City utility services
- Southern California Edison: Call (800) 447-6620
- Southern California Gas: Call (800) 207-8567
- Trash pick-up: Call (657) 467-6220
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City of Santa Ana, CA published this content on October 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 16, 2026 at 22:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]