Resolution No. 2025-XXX
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA IDENTIFYING THE JAPANESE AMERICAN
CITIZENS LEAGUE SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES, NORTH
ORANGE COUNTY / ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER AS A
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER IN THE PRESERVATION
OF THE ORANGE COUNTY JAPANESE TEA HOUSE AND
GARDEN
WHEREAS, on July 2, 1969, the County of Orange entered into an agreement (“Original Agreement”) with the Orange County (“County”) Japanese American Community Service, Inc., (“JACS”) a California non -profit corp oration, where in the County set aside a certain parcel of land within the Civic Center for the construction of a Japanese Garden (“The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Agreement JACS agreed to build and did build The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House in 1970 with donation s from over 625 Orange County Japanese families and businesses totaling $50,000 and given as a gift to the County; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House was the first Japanese American memorial in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, t he County accepted The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House and agreed to maintain it as a Japanese garden and tea house; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House serves multiple purposes: it is a lasting reminder of the incarceration of persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II; it represents Japanese Americans’ appreciation to those who welcomed them back home to Orange County after the war; it s hares Japanese cultural heritage with the public in the form of a tranquil garden setting for visitors to the Santa Ana Civic Center to enjoy; the location can be viewed from the new County Administration North Building and Santa Ana City Hall where both C ity and County employees can enjoy the garden; and, it reflects the rich history of the Japanese pioneers in the City of Santa Ana and their contribution; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House ’s builders included an eighty-year-old Japanese pine, which is now 135 years old; and
WHEREAS, on The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House’s 100 th anniversary in 2070, the time capsule at the garden will be opened on November 15, 2070, and
Resolution No. 2025-XXX
WHEREAS, on April 26, 2023, the County quitcla imed land to the City of Santa Ana (“City”) that includes The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2023, the County assigned its rights and delegated its obligations under the Original Agreement to City, and City accepted the assignment of the Original Agreement and assumed all of County’s obligations under and related to the Original Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana (“City”) will now be the custodian of this precious piece of Japanese American history; and
WHEREAS, on November 29, 2023, the City was notified by a letter, dated November 29, 2023, from the J apanese American Citizens League (“JACL”) South east Los Angeles, North Orange County / Orange County (“SELANOCO”) Chapter that JACL SELANOCO / Orange Count y will assume the handling of inquiries that may arise pertaining to The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House; and
WHEREAS, the City would like to formally recognize the JACL SELANOCO / Orange County as a community stakeholder to assist the City wi th inquiries that may arise pertaining to the maintenance of The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana as follows:
Section 1. The City of Santa Ana hereby recognizes JACL SELANOCO / Orange County as a community stakeholder of The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House.
Section 2. The City will maintain The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House as a Japanese garden and tea house . Where such maintenance require s the advice or services of persons familiar with and competent in the maintenance of Japanese gardens and tea houses , City will consult with JACL SELANOCO / Orange County and JACL SELANOCO / Orange County will cooperate in recommending such persons. Ther e shall be no change in the existing design of The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House without the prior consultation with JACL SELANOCO / Orange County.
Section 3. In the event that it becomes necessary to redesign or relocate The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House, due to redevelopment or for any other reason, prior to such redesign or relocation, City will consult with JACL SELANOCO / Orange County and JACL SELANOCO / Orange County will cooperate in providing recommendations for such relocation.
Resolution No. 2025-XXX
Section 4. A copy of this Resolution will be attached to The Orange County Japanese Garden and Teahouse property title which was signed in 2023 where the County transferred the garden to the City with the original 1969 County Agreement attached. With the new information included with this Resolution, the 55-year-old history of the origins of the garden and its representation will be clarified for perpetuity.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
ADOPTED this _____ day of January, 2025.
_______________________
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:_____________________
Brandon Salvatierra
Deputy City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers _______________________________________
NOES: Councilmembers _______________________________________
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers _______________________________________
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers _______________________________________
Resolution No. 2025-XXX
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, Jennifer L. Hall, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No . 2025-____ to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on January, ___, 2025.
Date: ________________ ____________________________________ City Clerk
City of Santa Ana