2026-10-20 - City Council & Housing Authority

Summary

Also streamed in Spanish: 2026-10-20 - City Council & Housing Authority (Spanish), which has a caption-based summary.

The speech-to-text transcript begins at the call to order, after a long closed-session period. All seven members were present. The City Attorney reported that the council held three closed session items with no reportable action. A stretch of roughly 17 minutes late in the public comment period (about 4:41 to 4:58 of the transcript clock) is garbled and unreliable, so details there are omitted.
Opening: the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the newly promoted Executive Director Rudy Rosas, and the Police Chaplain gave words of inspiration.
Presentations: a proclamation for the music group Legado Siete for cultural contributions; a proclamation for Filipino American History Month presented by Phil Bacerra; a proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month presented by Jessie Lopez; and a Domestic Violence Awareness Month recognition by Thai Viet Phan with the Police Department and a local services provider.
Public comment: the clerk reported 14 e-comments (12 on non-agenda topics, one on item 21 and one on item 30). Speakers spent a long period on police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, recent arrests of immigration observers and calls for an independent investigation and for ending license plate reader contracts, the Lexipol agreement (item 20), conditions at the Royal Coach mobile home park (item 29), the zoning code update (item 30, especially industrial and residential boundaries, environmental justice and parking), the residential permit parking program, and a grease ordinance. Tempers rose at several points; the mayor and council asked for order. Individual speakers are not named here.
Item 20, Lexipol agreement: a council member moved a substitute motion to discontinue the agreement and bring policy development in-house, seconded by another member; staff said policies are reviewed by the police legal advisor rather than adopted wholesale and that the Police Oversight Commission can ask to review them. The substitute failed 3-4 (nays: the mayor, the mayor pro tem, Phan and Bacerra). The original motion to approve the agreement for policy manual maintenance and support then passed 4-3 (nays: Hernandez, Lopez and Benjamin Vazquez). The exchange between two members became heated and the mayor called the vote. See Lexipol Policy Manual Agreement.
Item 21: density bonus agreement 2026-03 for the 400-unit mixed-use development at 200 East Sandpointe Avenue (20 units affordable to extremely low-income households and 13,887 sq ft of commercial space) passed with 4 ayes, 1 nay, 1 recusal and 1 member temporarily absent, on a motion by the mayor and a second by Lopez. See Watermarke Sandpointe Mixed-Use Development.
Item 22: an ordinance requiring City Council approval of changes affecting drinking water quality standards (new Municipal Code section 39-43) was introduced 7-0. Item 23: an ordinance updating cross-connection regulations and the water conservation and shortage contingency article to conform with Assembly Bill 1572 was introduced 7-0. See Drinking Water and Cross-Connection Ordinances.
Item 24: after a Police Traffic Division presentation, an ordinance amending Chapter 36 on bicycles and electric bicycles (sidewalk speed limits of 10 mph, 5 mph near schools or pedestrians, safekeeping and impound authority, penalties, a hearing process and safety training) was introduced for first reading. The roll call was yes votes, with one response not audible. The presentation was delayed by a technical problem, so the item was taken after item 26. See Bicycle and E-Bike Ordinance.
Item 25, public hearing: First and Mountain View project (61 condominium units at 4320 West First Street and 201 South Mountain View Street, with a General Plan amendment, rezoning to Specific Development No. 98, Density Bonus Agreement 2025-04 and a tract map). No public comments were received; approved 6-0 with one recusal. See First and Mountain View Project.
Item 26, public hearing: General Plan Amendment 2024-01 for the 10th and Flower Street Park in the Willard neighborhood. No speakers and three e-comments; approved 7-0. A council member thanked the residents who advocated for the park over many years. See 10th and Flower Street Park.
Item 27 was removed at the applicant's request.
Item 30, zoning code work-study session (no vote): the Executive Director of Planning and Building presented the comprehensive update of a code not comprehensively revised since 1968, covering the new zoning map, industrial flex districts, regulations at the residential-industrial interface, on-site parking standards (with state law limiting what the city can require near transit), home businesses, hotel requirements, nonconforming uses and data centers, plus the outreach record (about 1.2 million touch points). Members asked about outreach to businesses and residents, noise and hours rules, conditional use permits, data centers and nonconforming uses; staff said several more meetings would come before any first reading. See Santa Ana Zoning Code Update.
At 11:02 p.m. the City Attorney reminded the council of the 11 p.m. rule; the council voted 6-1 (Hernandez opposed) to continue past midnight if needed after a proposal to continue the remaining items to the next meeting received no second.
Item 28, requested by Jessie Lopez: license plate reader agreements with Flock and Motorola. Discussion covered reported outside-agency access to the city's data, privacy and constitutional concerns, the value of the tool to police, and the City Attorney's explanation of legal limits on sharing. No vote was taken; the city manager was directed to return with a report on termination options, the one-year effectiveness update and outside-agency access. Members disagreed on whether the direction amounted to cancellation. See Police Surveillance Camera Data Sharing.
Item 29, requested by Benjamin Vazquez: a resolution on conditions at the Royal Coach mobile home park. Staff described contacts with state housing and other agencies and the limits of city authority over mobile home parks, which are regulated chiefly by the state; members spoke in support and the resolution was directed to return to the council. See Royal Coach Mobile Home Park Residents.
Housing Authority: the council recessed and convened as the Housing Authority. There were no speakers. Consent calendar items 1 through 4 were approved 7-0 and the authority adjourned.
City manager and council comments: the deputy city manager had no comments. Members spoke about recent arrests of immigration observers and called for transparency and an independent review, the Memorial Park Aquatic Center opening date and hours and a related mural, new park openings, the upcoming November 3 election, Halloween events and the Executive Director's promotion. The mayor apologized for her part in an earlier heated exchange and noted the next meeting on November 17. See Memorial Park Construction and Police Cooperation with Immigration Enforcement.
The agenda also lists the City Net agreement, Mills Act agreements and Density Bonus Agreement 2026-0005 for Aspen Woods; none are discussed in the available transcript, so outcomes are not recorded here.

Issues discussed

Agenda

$3.5M/yr City Net agreement for street outreach and substance abuse services for unhoused individuals; Mills Act historic property agreements; Density Bonus Agreement No. 2026-0005 for Aspen Woods (2030 E. Fourth St).

Sources

Video

Watch the video

Transcript

Auto-generated speech-to-text; names and figures may be garbled. Condensed to official proceedings; public commenters and private individuals are omitted. Timestamps are minutes and seconds on the video clock.

Transcript

127:54 | I hereby call the Santa Ana City Council meeting to order.

128:42 | Roll call: Councilmembers Bacerra, Hernandez, Lopez, Phan, Vazquez, Mayor Pro Tem and the Mayor. All seven members present.

129:32 | The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by our newly promoted Executive Director. Words of inspiration follow from the Police Chaplain.

132:36 | Are there any additions or deletions? There are none. On to presentations: a proclamation for Legado Siete for outstanding cultural contributions.

140:16 | Certificates of recognition for Filipino American History Month.

152:35 | Councilmember Lopez recognizes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

160:22 | Councilmember Phan recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

182:36 | Closed session report: we had three closed session items this evening, but we do not have any reportable action.

184:19 | This is the time for public comment on agenda and non-agenda items. Speakers will have three minutes.

184:52 | We received a total of 14 e-comments, 12 on non-agenda topics, one on item 21 and one on item 30.

303:40 | A motion on item 20: discontinue the Lexipol contract and develop police policy in-house with the City Attorney, City Manager, council and community stakeholders. Seconded as a substitute motion.

305:36 | Does the city take any Lexipol policies wholesale? Our police legal advisor reviews all policies for consistency with state law and our local policies; it is a starting point.

306:55 | Is there anything prohibiting the Police Oversight Commission or the council from requesting changes? No, they can be reviewed and recommendations made to the police department.

338:07 | Substitute motion to discontinue the Lexipol agreement and bring policy development in-house. Three ayes, four nays. The motion fails.

338:39 | Reverting to the original motion to approve the agreement for policy manual maintenance and support. Four ayes, three nays, nays by Councilmembers Hernandez, Lopez and Vazquez.

339:18 | Item 21, density bonus agreement for the Watermarke Sandpointe mixed-use development. A councilmember announced a recusal and left the room.

340:45 | Four ayes, one nay, one recusal and one temporary absence.

341:52 | Item 22, drinking water quality standards ordinance, first reading: seven ayes, no nays.

342:33 | Item 23, cross-connection and water conservation ordinance, first reading: seven ayes, no nays.

342:45 | Item 24, regulations for the operation of bicycles and electric bicycles. Pausing this item until the presentation is available.

346:10 | Item 25 is a public hearing regarding the First and Mountain View project. We did not receive any emails for this public hearing. The applicant thanked the council and staff.

347:39 | I close the public hearing. The vote is six ayes, no nays, with a reported recusal.

349:27 | Public hearing item 26, the 10th and Flower Street Park project. No in-person or Zoom speakers; three e-comments were received and made part of the record.

351:28 | General Plan Amendment 2024-01 for the 10th and Flower Street Park. Seven ayes, no nays.

352:31 | Item 27 has been removed at the request of the applicant.

353:07 | The proposed amendments to Chapter 36 of the Municipal Code relate to bicycles and electric bicycles, to set clear operating standards and improve safety.

356:36 | The ordinance adds a 10 mile an hour maximum on sidewalks and a 5 mile an hour maximum in school zones or when children or pedestrians are present.

358:12 | Safekeeping addresses situations involving a minor with no parent present when the violation creates an immediate danger. Class 3 e-bikes operated by minors under 16 may be held 48 hours and released to a parent. A hearing process is provided.

360:51 | Motion to introduce for first reading the ordinance amending Chapter 36 of the Municipal Code regarding bicycles and electric bicycles.

362:05 | Item 30 is the council work-study session regarding the comprehensive zoning code update.

363:03 | This code has not been comprehensively updated since 1968. The current code is piecemeal and does not reflect a modern Santa Ana.

367:21 | The engagement effort is the most extensive ever done for anything related to land use in the city's history.

378:59 | The residential-industrial interface regulations separate residential and commercial areas from higher impact industrial uses.

388:00 | Parking standards are proposed with a minor exception for shared parking subject to director approval; state law limits requirements near transit.

395:43 | We also heard from the council a desire to bring back more information on data centers.

457:34 | It is now two minutes past 11 p.m. The remaining items are 28 on Flock cameras, 29 on the mobile home issue, city manager comments, council comments and the Housing Authority.

458:38 | Motion to hear all of the meeting items this evening, including past midnight if necessary. Six ayes, one nay by Councilmember Hernandez.

473:36 | This is just a study session; there will be three or four more meetings before a vote.

474:06 | Item 28 was requested by Councilmember Lopez. This is an introductory item; we are not voting on it tonight and members can provide direction.

518:26 | The request asks for a report back within 30 days on the agreements with the two license plate reader vendors, including options and costs to terminate, suspend or not renew, the one-year update, and a report on outside agency access to the data.

520:03 | Mr. City Manager, you have direction.

520:09 | Item 29 was requested by Councilmember Vazquez, a resolution concerning the mobile home park.

552:24 | Thank you. No other comments? Mr. City Manager, you have direction.

552:38 | We are recessing the City Council meeting, convening to the Housing Authority meeting.

553:01 | Six members present, that is a quorum. There are no speakers in person, on Zoom or by e-mail on the Housing Authority agenda.

553:27 | Motion to approve consent calendar items one through four of the Housing Authority. Seven ayes, no nays.

553:58 | The Housing Authority meeting is adjourned. We are reconvening the City Council meeting.

554:05 | Deputy City Manager, do you have comments? No comments, Mayor.

554:10 | Council member comments: arrests of immigration observers, the Memorial Park Aquatic Center opening, new parks, upcoming events.

603:23 | Earlier I engaged in a passionate exchange, and I should not do that as the mayor. I extend an apology to the community.

604:16 | Please do not forget to vote on November 3rd, and I will see you all November 17th. Have a nice evening.