Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 29
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
January 21, 2025
TOPIC: Resolution for the Maintenance and Protection of the Japanese Garden and Teahouse
AGENDA TITLE
Resolution Recognizing the Japanese American Citizens League South East Los Angeles, North Orange County as a Community Stakeholder for the Civic Center Japanese Garden and Teahouse (No Fiscal Impact)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution recognizing Japanese American Citizens League South East Los Angeles, North Orange County as a Community Stakeholder of the Civic Center Japanese Garden and Teahouse
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX entitled 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
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On July 2, 1969 the County and the Orange County Japanese American Community Service (JACS), a non-profit corporation, entered into an agreement where JACS agreed to build a Japanese Garden and Teahouse (Garden) within the County-owned portion of the Civic Center at no cost to the County (Exhibit 1). The agreement stipulated that the County would competently maintain the Garden and consult JACS in the event of any major changes to the Garden.
On October 4, 2022, the Santa Ana City Council approved an Exchange of Real Property agreement between the City and the County, for a property exchange within the Civic Center (Exhibit 2). As a result of the property exchange. the Garden is now within the parcel owned by the City. The property exchange agreement approved by Council requires the City to maintain the Garden and consult with JACS in the event of any major changes to the Garden to preserve its cultural integrity.
Resolution for the Maintenance and Protection of the Japanese Garden and Teahouse January 21, 2025
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JACS has since dissolved and reformed as a new organization named Japanese American Citizens League South East Los Angeles North Orange County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL SELANOCO). In order to preserve the cultural integrity of the Garden, JACL SELANOCO has requested that the City adopt a resolution to reaffirm its commitment to maintain, preserve, and consult with JACL SELANOCO prior to any major modifications to the Garden.
Staff recommends the adoption of this resolution as it maintains the original commitment made by the County and assumed by the City, clarifies who the City should consult with on cultural matters, and does not result in any added costs or burdens not already assumed by the City (Exhibit 3). This resolution does not modify, add, or remove the City’s authority as was originally provided by the County of Orange.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Original Agreement – County of Orange and JACS
2. October 4, 2022 Staff Report – Item #20
3. Resolution
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director – Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager