COSAS Newsletter: July 11, 2025

In the July 11, 2025, edition of the COSAS (City of Santa Ana Stories) newsletter, we're sharing tons of fun summer activities and events, news about important City Council actions, information for renters, and much more.

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Spotlight Photo

4th of July Celebration at Centennial Park

Photo Credit: City staff

To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.

City Manager's Highlights

Santa Ana City Council unanimously passes multiple actions affirming its commitment to its immigrant community

In a united and urgent call to action, the Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved three separate actions on July 1, 2025. These included a resolution documenting immigration enforcement impacts and a call for action; seeking records from ICE pertaining to immigration enforcement activity in Santa Ana; and establishing an emergency assistance program for families impacted by immigration enforcement.

Read the full press release at the link below and visit our Know Your Rights page to find immigration information and community resources.

Read the press release

Know Your Rights

Find community resources

Santa Ana City Council unanimously approves contract with first Police Oversight Director

Police Oversight Director T. Jack Morse

The City Council also unanimously approved a contract for a seasoned attorney and investigator to serve as the City's first Police Oversight Director. T. Jack Morse, Jr. of Oppenheimer Investigations Group LLP will serve in the new position.

Read more about the Police Oversight Director

News

Notice of Allowable Rent Increase of 2.42% effective September 1, 2025

The City of Santa Ana has announced a 2.42% allowable rent increase effective from Sept. 1, 2025, to Aug. 31, 2026, under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This applies to certain residential units and mobile home spaces.

This ordinance limits annual rent increases to no more than 3% of your current rent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, whichever is less. It also provides additional protections for tenants against eviction and other rights.

If you aren't sure if the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance applies to your property or you have other questions, please visit the Rent Stabilization websiteor contact the Rent Stabilization Division at rso@santa-ana.orgor (714) 667-2209.

Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction

Paramedic subscription program available for Santa Ana residents

The City of Santa Ana is offering a voluntary paramedic subscription program designed to help residents save on emergency medical response costs. In an effort to curb the high cost of ambulance transport service, this annual subscription provides unlimited access to Santa Ana's contracted emergency medical system for Santa Ana residents and those in their households, whether they have health insurance or not. Insurance, Medicare, or Medi-Cal will be billed, but as a subscriber, you pay no additional cost beyond the annual fee of $73.

Learn more and sign up for the paramedic subscription program

Children, teens and adults can join SAPL's Summer Reading Program

There's still time to register for Santa Ana Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Sign up to earn prizes and a chance to win a grand prize. There are categories for children, teens and adults! Register online through Beanstackby Aug. 9. Contact the library at 714-647-6992for more information.

Register for Summer Reading Program

Together we fight! Help prevent mosquitoes

This summer, protect yourself and your community against mosquitoes. The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) wants you to know that taking care of standing water on your own property just isn't enough. Mosquitoes can easily fly over fences and across property lines from one house to another to spread sickness and disease. Please help spread the word to your friends, neighbors and coworkers to dump and drain standing water wherever they might find it.

And don't forget to cover up, use mosquito repellent and take other measures to avoid getting bitten. Learn more from the OCMVCD at the link below.

Mosquitoes Suck website

Water safety tips from OCFA

Orange County Fire Authority reminds you to always practice water safety. In Southern California, drowning prevention and water safety should be practiced on a year-round basis with special emphasis during the summer months.

Drowning Prevention for Kids:

• Always keep children within arm's reach
• Remove items that a child could climb on to get over a fence and into a pool area
• Designate a water watcher; someone who is free of distraction and can focus on those in the water
• Install and maintain proper barriers around the pool and spa areas such as fences, gates, doors, alarms and safety covers
• If a child goes missing, ALWAYS check the water first

Drowning Prevention for Adults:

• Never swim alone
• Learn to swim
• Learn CPR
• Wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer

OCFA drowning prevention videos and resources

Sports fields closed for maintenance until September 2

The sports fields at the following City parks are currently closed due to annual turf renovation through September 2:

• Cesar Chavez Park,3311 W. 5th St.,
• Centennial Park,300 W. Edinger Ave.
• Delhi Park,2314 S. Halladay St.
• Santiago Park,2535 N. Main St.

The fields will be fenced off completely and will not be open to the public. Please use alternate athletic fields nearby while these park fields are under construction.Thank you for your patience and understanding.

City Council Meetings

The next regular Santa Ana City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 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 onthe City's YouTube channeland 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 hereto receive City meeting agenda notifications.

July 15 Meeting Agenda: https://www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings

Events

Find more City of Santa Ana events on our website.

Movies in the Park: 'Lilo & Stitch' - July 11

Get ready for a night under the stars! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a free screening of "Lilo & Stitch" (2002) at Carl Thornton Park, featuring themed crafts for kids, fun giveaways, and community resources. Don't forget to grab some free popcorn while it lasts!

• Friday, July 11
• 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Carl Thornton Park, 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave.

Storytime at the Park - July 11-28

Join Santa Ana Public Library's Knowledge Mobile for Storytime at the Park at different park locations all month long. Immerse your little ones in the magic of storytelling amid the beauty of nature. Storytime begins at 10:30 am.

See Storytime at the Park dates in July

Bowers Museum Pacific Islands Festival - July 13

Join the Bowers Museum for an exciting cultural celebration at their next Free Family Festival on Sunday, July 13! The Pacific Island Festival highlighting the traditions, music, and dance of the Pacific Islands with a vibrant lineup of performances and hands-on activities for all ages.For the full event schedule and more details, please visit the event page below.

• Sunday, July 13
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.

Pacific Islands Festival

Art on the Move - July 15 & 23

Join Santa Ana Public Library's Knowledge Mobile to ignite your imagination and unleash your creativity. Whether you're painting, drawing, or crafting, this is the perfect place to explore your artistic skills. No experience is needed - just bring your passion and enjoy the journey! Call 714-647-6992 for more information.

• Tuesday, July 15
• 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• Adams Park, 2303 S. Raitt St.

• Wednesday, July 23
• 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• Rosita Park, 706 N. Newhope St.

Launch Your Business Workshop in Spanish | Taller Lanzar su Negocio - July 16

The City of Santa Ana Economic Development Department invites you to a free Business Startup Workshop in Spanish. It is designed for anyone interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing one in the City of Santa Ana. Attendees will learn essential steps and techniques to advance their idea or vision, including information on licenses, permits, business types, and other important steps that will help them foster good employee communication and achieve their business goals.

• Wednesday, July 16
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Santa Ana City Hall (Room 1600), 20 Civic Center Plaza

Register: https://forms.gle/WfRh6RUt3gXvmS6H9

For more information, contact Fernando Chavarría at (714) 647-5530.

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El Departamento de Desarrollo Económico de la Ciudad de Santa Ana lo invita al taller gratuito Lanza Tu Negocio en español. El taller está diseñado para cualquier persona interesada en iniciar un nuevo negocio o en expandir un negocio existente en la Ciudad de Santa Ana. Las personas que asisten aprenderán pasos esenciales al igual que técnicas para impulsar su idea o visión, incluyendo información sobre licencias, permisos, tipos de negocios, y otros pasos importantes que le ayudarán a fomentar buenas comunicaciones con empleados al igual que cumplir su meta empresarial.

• miércoles 16 de julio
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Ayuntamiento de Santa Ana (Room 1600), 20 Civic Center Plaza

Para más información, comuníquese con Fernando Chavarría al (714) 647-5530.

Build a Scarecrow Day - July 16

Join us for a fun, hands-on activity where you'll create your very own scarecrow - just like farmers have been doing for over 3,000 years! Scarecrows are a time-tested way to protect crops from hungry birds and animals. So, come help guard our summer harvest and take part in this age-old farming tradition! Free and open to all ages at two locations.

• Wednesday, July 16
• 4:30-6 p.m.,
• Roosevelt Walker Community Garden, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
• El Salvador Park Community Garden, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive

Register for Build a Scarecrow Day

Marigold Celebration - July 18

Join us at the Jerome Park Community Garden for the Marigold Celebration! Participate in a day of planting seeds, games, giveaways, and cultural activities that will teach you about Marigolds and their significance in every region. By planting seeds in late July, we will have the Marigolds blooming just in time for Día de los Muertos!

• Friday, July 18
• 5-7 p.m.
• Jerome Park, 2115 W. McFadden Ave.

Register for Marigold Celebration

Movies in the Park: 'Toy Story' - July 18

Get ready for a night under the stars! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a free screening of "Toy Story" at Memorial Park, featuring themed crafts for kids, fun giveaways, and community resources. Don't forget to grab some free popcorn while it lasts!

• Friday, July 18
• 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Memorial Park, 2102 S. Flower St.

Election Administration Plan Update Community Workshop - July 22

Your voice matters! Join the Santa Ana City Clerk's Office and the Orange County Registrar of Voters for an Election Administration Plan (EAP) Community Workshop. This is your opportunity to provide input on how elections are conducted in our community. This meeting will be presented in English. If you need language interpreting services, please request in advance by calling 714-567-5039. Find other workshops in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages at the link below.

• Tuesday, July 22
• 6-7:30 p.m.
• Southwest Senior Center, 2201 E. McFadden Ave.

Find EAP workshops

Movies in the Park: 'Madagascar' - July 25

Get ready for a night under the stars! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a free screening of "Madagascar" at Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park, featuring themed crafts for kids, fun giveaways, and community resources. Don't forget to grab some free popcorn while it lasts!

• Friday, July 25
• 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave.

2025 OC's Safer Summer Pool Party - July 26

The City of Santa Ana's Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency is hosting the 2025 OC's Safer Summer Pool Party presented by the Orange County Drowning Prevention Coalition and the Jasper Ray Foundation. Come cool off at our second annual community pool party dedicated to essential water safety skills for children and families. Space is limited. Save your spot and register you, family, and friends for a session today! Free recreation swim is offered 6-7 p.m.

• Saturday, July 26
• 3-6 p.m.
• El Salvador Community Pool, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive

Register for Pool Party Session 1: 3-4:30 p.m.

Register for Pool Party Session 2: 4:30-6 p.m.

Fiestas Patrias Parade Meeting - July 29

Get ready for Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias celebration on September 13 and 14! As part of the festivities, the City will host a vibrant parade honoring Mexican independence and celebrating our diverse Latino communities. Open to the public, this final meeting will provide general information about Fiestas Patrias and how to get involved. Attending at least one meeting is encouraged for those interested in participating. Parade applications are open now until Thursday, Aug. 7, at 5 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 29
• 6:30-8 p.m.
• Roosevelt-Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.

Apply to be a Fiestas Patrias parade participant, vendor, exhibitor or performer

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.

Download the mySantaAna app

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 dispatch (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

Starting a small business?

• How to start a business in Santa Ana
• Home Occupation Permit

Apply to work for the City of Santa Ana

• Career opportunities
• Internship program