New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Civic Affairs

5-year Strategic Plan draft is available for viewing and comments online

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: 5-year Strategic Plan draft is available for viewing and comments online

SANTA ANA, CA (January 24, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council are in the process of developing a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to guide our city towards the future. This planning process has involved numerous community stakeholders and the City invites all to attend an informational meeting to view the draft 5-year strategic plan and provide comment. Comments will be received and incorporated into the final draft, which will later be presented to the entire City Council for adoption. The online comment period will be available beginning Friday, January 24, 2014 and will conclude on Friday, February 14, 2014. Community members will have the option of submitting comment cards during the overview meeting or submit them online at www.santa-ana.org/strategic-planning/community-overview/comments.asp. Continue reading→

Why isn’t the City Council conducting a national search for a new Police Chief?

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 8 Comments

Carlos Rojas, a 22-year veteran of the Santa Ana Police Department, was appointed Acting Chief of Police by then Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters back in August of 2012, which was touted online by the Santa Ana Police Foundation.

But did you know that Rojas is still our Interim Police Chief and that the City of Santa Ana is still posting for a new Police Chief online? Continue reading→

Broadway rehab begins and traffic will be bad through May

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, public works, Santa Ana, Traffic 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Advisory: Broadway Rehabilitation Construction Begins – Motorists Should Expect Increased Traffic Congestion

SANTA ANA, CA ( January 22, 2014) – Christensen Brothers General Engineering, Inc. was awarded a contract in the amount of $4,312,894.65 for the rehabilitation of Broadway from Civic Center Drive to Main Place Drive and the replacement of the water main on Broadway and Washington Avenue. Phase 2 of this project has begun and because of the extensive improvements, traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction. It is expected that this project will be completed by summer 2014 barring unforeseen conditions that will cause delays. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana announces 2014 major community events

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: City of Santa Ana Announces 2014 Major Community Events

SANTA ANA, CA (January 17, 2014) – A very exciting and creative series of major community events will be produced by the City of Santa Ana. This initiative is a direct reflection of the “Complete Communities” priority, which is being established in the City’s 5-year strategic plan. Continue reading→

Strategic Plan community overview meeting set for 2/8

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

CommunityAlert: City Announces “Save the Date” for Upcoming 5-Year Strategic Plan Community Overview Meeting

SANTA ANA, CA (January 16, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council are embarking on the creation of a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to guide our city towards the future. This plan has involved numerous community stakeholders and the City invites all to attend an informational meeting to see the 5-year strategic plan draft and to provide comment, before it is presented to the City Council. Comments will be received and incorporated into the final draft, which will later be presented to the entire City Council for adoption. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s City Manager is pulling in almost $800K a year in pay and benefits

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, David Cavazos, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Santa Ana’s new city manager is under scrutiny for allegedly making nearly $800,000 in pay, perks and pension this year, according to Cristy Fajardo at CBS News.

CBS reports that:

David Cavazos is receiving a $315,000 salary, making him one of the highest-paid employees in the state. It’s the same amount he made before retiring as city manager of Phoenix, which is almost five times larger than Santa Ana.
He’s also collecting another estimated $243,000 in perks and benefits his first year in Santa Ana, including a car, moving expenses and a housing allowance.
Now, add his pension; Cavazos is collecting $234,536.04, according to Toni Macarrone, a City of Phoenix public information officer.
All in all, it totals to approximately $792,000. Continue reading→

Updated: Bruce Bauer nominated to the Santa Ana Planning Commission

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Bruce T. Bauer, Civic Affairs, Planning, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Update: The Santa Ana City Council voted tonight to approve the appointment of Bruce T. Bauer to the Santa Ana Planning Commission. We know he will do a great job!

Good news for Santa Ana’s bike trail enthusiasts. Bruce T. Bauer, an attorney and a leading proponent of completing the Santiago Creek Bike Trail, has been nominated to the Santa Ana Planning Commission by Council Member Angie Amezcua. His nomination will be voted on by the Santa Ana City Council at tonight’s Council meeting.

Amezcua’s previous appointee to the Planning Commission, Joel Crespo, resigned to take a job with a law firm up north, from what I have heard. Continue reading→

Santa Ana City Council to honor Judge Jim Gray and Doy Henley tonight

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: Mayor and City Council Will Honor Two Community Members for Their Exemplary Service to the City at Tonight’s Meeting

SANTA ANA, CA (January 7, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council will recognize Judge James Gray (retired) and Doy Henley at tonight’s city council meeting for their distinguished service to the Santa Ana community. Each honoree has positively influenced our community and their accomplishments will be recognized at the beginning of the meeting. Continue reading→

The City of Santa Ana wants to replace the Real Miyagi’s Dojo with landscaping

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Eminent Domain, public works, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The Real Miyagi’s Dojo Threatened: Santa Ana Favors Foliage over Small Businesses

By: Reason

Karate legend Fumio Demura has shaped much of the karate culture we are familiar with today. He’s trained iconic martial arts stars like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, and Pat Morita, and has also acted in popular martial arts films.

Demura’s credits include working as Mr. Miyagi’s stunt double in The Karate Kid franchise, Mortal Combat, Rising Sun, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. The Real Miyagi is a soon-to-be-released feature documenting Demura’s life. Demura credits his “dojo,” or studio, in Santa Ana, California for much of his success. Continue reading→

Assemblyman wants to end at-large elections for large cities like Santa Ana

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Politics, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Assemblyman Roger Hernandez

There is an effort underway to collect signatures to place a referendum on the ballot to change the way we elect Council Members here in Santa Ana from At Large to Ward Specific. But it may be that we won’t have to go to such lengths after all!

With the recent uptick in cities facing scrutiny over at-large elections, perhaps it’s no wonder that the issue has attracted the attention of the State Legislature. Assembly Member Roger Hernandez of West Covina announced today that he plans to introduce legislation requiring all non-charter cities that have a population of 100,000 or more to hold district-based elections, according to the California City News. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana releases 2014 Council and Committee Meeting calendar

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: CITY OF SANTA ANA 2014 CITY COUNCIL AND COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS CALENDAR

SANTA ANA, CA (December 19, 2013) – On December 16, 2013 the City Council approved its 2014 calendar for City Council and Council Committee meetings.

Please note that commencing with the first meeting in 2014, the City Council meetings will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 5:00 p.m. for Closed Session and 5:45 p.m. for the Regular Open Session in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA. Meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to address the Council on matters of importance. Continue reading→

Santa Ana announces Holiday street sweeping and trash collection schedule

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Street Sweeping, Waste Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: City of Santa Ana Holiday Street Sweeping and Trash Collection Schedule for 2013 and 2014

SANTA ANA, CA (December 18, 2013) – As a reminder, please be aware that the City of Santa Ana does not provide street sweeping on City observed Holidays. The 2013 Christmas week and 2014 holiday street sweeping schedule is provided below for your information. This includes the trash collection holiday schedule, which indicates the days where there will be a one-day collection delay. Continue reading→

You can now apply for the Santa Ana Arts and Culture Commission

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: CITY OF SANTA ANA NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION

SANTA ANA, CA (December 17, 2013) – On December 16, 2013 the City Council approved the establishment of the Arts and Culture Commission and is now accepting applications to fill seats. The City of Santa Ana encourages interested residents to apply for appointment and become involved in the community to serve in an advisory capacity on the commission. Below is a summary of the commission, including duties, compensation, requirements and instructions on the application process. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Planning and Building Agency’s Director to retire

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Planning, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Photo: Jay Trevino pictured with the current members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission

The City of Santa Ana’s Executive Director of their Planning and Building Agency, Jay Trevino, will be retiring on December 30 after a 32-year career serving four cities. In addition to his ten years in Santa Ana, Trevino previously worked for the cities of Santa Monica, Brea and Pomona. He is an Orange County native, having grown up in Westminster. Trevino studied architecture initially and has a degree in urban and regional planning from the California State University at Pomona.

Trevino accomplished a lot in the City of Santa Ana during his tenure including: incorporating health and wellness into the planning process; emphasizing the quality of design in development projects; adopting award-winning plans like the Transit Zoning Code and the Housing Element; creating a balanced approach for affordable housing in the Housing Opportunity Ordinance; and, collaborating on the streetcar, to name a few of his many accomplishments. Continue reading→

Garage Sales will be allowed in Santa Ana on Dec. 14 and 15

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: City Manager Approves Additional Garage Sale Weekend

SANTA ANA, CA (December 11, 2013) – Due to last weekend’s poor weather conditions during the regularly scheduled garage sale weekend, City Manager David Cavazos has designated December 14th and 15th as additional garage sale days. For details about this decision and garage sale regulations, please refer to SAMC Sec. 41-193 or call Community Preservation at 714-667-2780. Continue reading→