CITY COUNCIL 1 OCTOBER 28, 2024
DRAFT Minutes of the Special Meeting
of the City Council
City of Santa Ana,
California
October 28, 2024
SPECIAL OPEN MEETING – 5:30 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
22 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua convened the Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:32 P.M.
ATTENDANCE Councilmembers
Mayor Pro Tem
Phil Bacerra
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Jessie Lopez
David Penaloza
Benjamin Vazquez
Thai Viet Phan
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Alvaro Nuñez
Sonia R. Carvalho
Jennifer L. Hall
ROLL CALL
MINUTES: City Clerk Jennifer L. Hall conducted roll call.
Councilmembers Bacerra, Hernandez, Penaloza, and Vazquez, Mayor Pro Tem Phan, and Mayor Amezcua were present. Councilmember Lopez was absent.
CITY COUNCIL 2 OCTOBER 28, 2024
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Amezcua
ADDITIONS\DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
MINUTES: None.
Mayor Amezcua spoke regarding the purpose of the Special Meeting.
City Attorney Sonia Carvalho spoke regarding options provided to the City Council to address the findings that were reported at the last Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Public comments will be held during the beginning of the meeting for ALL comments on agenda and non-agenda items.
MINUTES: City Clerk Jennifer L. Hall reported out the summary of email comments received: (5) Agenda Item No. 1 comments.
The following speakers addressed City Council in-person:
1. Jackie Cordova spoke regarding lies by the City Council.
2. Dwayne Shipp spoke regarding Juneteenth, his experiences with Councilmember Hernandez, and spoke in opposition to the allegations.
3. Nakia McBath spoke regarding his experiences with Councilmember Hernandez and in opposition to the allegations.
4. Fernando Deveras spoke regarding political ploys and spoke in opposition to the allegations.
The following speaker addressed City Council via teleconference:
5. Carrie J. Jones spoke regarding Council discord and spoke in opposition to the allegations.
MINUTES: At 5:51 P.M., the Business Calendar was considered.
1. Discuss and Address Potential Remedies Regarding the Investigator’s Sustained Findings Regarding Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez and Take Potential Action or Direct Staff Accordingly
MINUTES: Councilmember Hernandez spoke regarding his collaboration and efforts related to the Juneteenth event, his advocacy and transparency efforts, costs to the City, and political ploys.
BUSINESS CALENDAR
CITY COUNCIL 3 OCTOBER 28, 2024
Mayor Amezcua spoke regarding the findings of the investigation of Councilmember Hernandez and approved monies related to settlements and recalls by Council vote, and stated that this meeting is not political.
Councilmember Penaloza spoke regarding the findings of the investigation of Councilmember Hernandez and violation s of the City Charter, stated Councilmember Hernandez must be held accountable for his actions, and clarified that this meeting is not political.
Councilmember Bacerra spoke regarding the findings o f the investigation of Councilmember Hernandez, violation of the City Charter and Code of Ethics, and accountability by elected officials.
Councilmember Hernandez spoke regarding systemic racism and review of the matter by the Ad Hoc committee.
Discussion ensued regarding t he sustained investigation findings and elected officials involvement in City events.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding the lack of scope related to the findings of the investigation of Councilmember Hernandez and stated the meeting is politically motivated.
Mayor Pro Tem Phan spoke regarding the findings o f the investigation of Councilmember Hernandez and accountability by elected officials, and stated she has not fully read the report and cannot make a fully informed decision at this time.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Phan moved to continued Agenda Item No. 1 to the November 19, 2024 City Council meeting , seconded by Councilmember Vazquez.
MINUTES: Councilmember Bacerra expressed disappointment in the lack of Council Members reading the unredacted investigation report.
Councilmember Penaloza echoed previous comments, spoke regarding the lack of reprimand of elected officials in the City and accountability , and stated he requested the next steps related to the investigation and for a special meeting.
Mayor Amezcua spoke regarding the Ad Hoc decision to turn over the investigation to an outside party since there were monies involved, accountability, lack of follow- up regarding elected officials reprimand when violating the law, calling for a special meeting, and expressed d isappointment in the lack of Council Members reading the unredacted investigation report.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding integrity.
The motion carried, 5-1-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
CITY COUNCIL 4 OCTOBER 28, 2024
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, COUNCILMEMBER
PENALOZA, COUNCILMEMBER VAZQUEZ, MAYOR PRO
TEM PHAN, MAYOR AMEZCUA
COUNCILMEMBER BACERRA
NONE
COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ
Status: 5 – 1 – 0 – 1 – Pass
**END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR**
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
MINUTES: None.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
AB1234 DISCLOSURE – If the City paid for travel or other expenses this is the time for members of the Council to provide a brief oral report on attendance of any regional board or commission meeting or any conference, meeting or event attended.
MINUTES: Councilmember Vazquez encouraged people to vote.
City Attorney Sonia Carvalho announced that Council comments were not part of a special meeting.
ADJOURNMENT – Adjourn the City Council meeting.
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 6:41 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
___________________________
Jennifer L. Hall, CMC
City Clerk