Zuniga, Diana
From: Escamilla, Manny < manuel. escamilla@ocgov. com> Sent: Monday, May 05, 2025 5:03 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Nunez, Alvaro; Vazquez, Sylvia; Goebel, Yasie; Anas, Nick Subject: Supervisor Sarmiento and Supervisor Foley - Item 20 - Letter of Support Attachments: Letter of Support NOX Ban .pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Hello Mayor and Council,
Please see this letter of support for Item 20, Prohibiting the Sale or Distribution of Nitrous Oxide, from Supervisor Sarmiento and Vice- Chair Foley.
All the best,
Manny
Manuel J. Escamilla
manuel. escamiIla@ocgov. com
Senior Policy Advisor
Office of Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento
County Administration North
400 W. Civic Center Drive, Sixth Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Office: 714- 834- 3220
Cell: 657- 401- 5554
1 Vicente
F LEY lssar] nieink
4 to
VICECHAIR,OC9oRR0 OFSUPERVISORS SUPERVISOR, 2nd DISTRICT May 6, 2025
SantaAna City Council
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Ordinance Adding Article XIV to Chapter 10 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Prohibiting the Sale or Distribution of Nitrous Oxide
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
We arewriting to expressour strongsupportfor theproposedordinancethat would prohibit the saleor distribution of nitrous oxide at retail stores within the city. We also appreciate Councilmember Lopez' s introduction of commonsenselegislation to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide possessionand distribution andthe collaboration with the Mayor andpublic safetyto move this forward. Inhaling nitrous oxide( a.k.a.
NOX, laughinggas, whippets, or galaxygas) suffocatesthebrain, causesseriousbrain damage, andcan even lead to death. It is also not detectible by any drug test, snaking it a more difficult to prevent. This ordinanceisacrucialstepto addressagrowingpublichealthissueaffectingourCountydueto theloopholes in existing state law.
Currently, manymostOrangeCountycities lack specificlocalregulationsgoverningthe saleof nitrous oxide and it is our sincere hope that other municipalities will follow Santa Ana' s lead. This local ordinance will empowerthecity of SantaAna to betterprotectpublichealthby prohibitingsalesto individualslikely to misusetheproductandclosingexistingloopholes. Forexample,undercurrentstatelawtheretailsaleof nitrous oxide is legal, but the possessionof nitrous oxide with the intent to inhale is a misdemeanor.
In FebruarytheCountyof Orangebecamethefirst countyin Californiato bantherecreationalsaleof nitrous oxide. Adopting this ordinance will align the City of SantaAna with the preventative action already takenby theOrangeCountyBoardof Supervisors.Thiskind of coordinatedeffortbetweencity andcounty governmentsis crucial for effectively addressingregional public health and safety challenges. We appreciatethattheproposedordinancethoughtfullyincludesexemptionsfor legitimateuses,suchasin food products,specificwholesaledistribution,vehicleperformanceenhancement,supervisedmedicalanddental applications, andpharmacydispensing. Our officesremaincommittedto working with our local partner agenciesto improvepublichealthandsafety,andthis ordinanceis apositivestepin thatdirection.
Addressingtherecreationalsaleandmisuseof nitrousoxideis vital for thewell-beingof our community.
We urge you to conductthe first readingand adoptthe ordinanceto prohibit the non-exemptsaleand distributionof nitrous oxidein SantaAna. 'Thankyou for your time andconsiderationof this important matter.
Sincerely,
Vicente Sarmiento Foley
Supervisor, District 2 District 5
Orange County Board of Supervisors air, Orange County Board of Supervisors Zuniga, Diana
From: Tallabas, Adam R < adam. tallabas@ocgov. com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2025 12:36 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Anas, Nick
Subject: 5/ 6/ 2025 - Item 20 SUPPORT
Attachments: 2025. 05. 06 SUPPORT - SantaAna CC Item 20.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Good afternoon,
I am reaching out on behalf of Vice Chair Katrina Foley of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the Fifth Supervisorial District. Please see the attached support letter as the Vice Chair' s public comment.
Best,
Adam Tallabas I District Director
Office of Vice Chair Katrina Foley, 5thDistrict
Office: ( 714) 834- 3550
Mobile: ( 657) 488- 1387
Ada m. Ta Ila bas@ocgov. com
For meeting, tour, or general scheduling requests for Supervisor Foley, please fill out the form found at this link: d5. ocgov. com/ Schedu/ ingrequest 1 VICE CHAIR KATRINA FOLEY
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
j
c FIFTH DISTRICT
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION NORTH
400 W. CIVIC CENTER DR., SIXTH FLOOR
SANTA ANA, CA 92701
714) 834- 3550 Katrina. Foley@ocaov. com
May 6, 2025
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Members of the Santa Ana City Council
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 20: Ordinance Adding Article XiV to Chapter 10 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Prohibiting the Sale or Distribution of Nitrous Oxide — SUPPORT Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council:
i writetodayin strongsupportof the ordinanceproposedby SantaAna PoliceChief RobertRodriguezandapprovedby CityManagerAlvaroNunezto prohibtthe sale and distribution of nitrous oxide in the city of Santa Ana.
Nitrous oxide is a potent inhalant that when used recreationally can cause serious physicalharm. Inhalationof nitrousoxidecanreducethe oxygenlevelsinthe brain, causing dizziness, loss of coordination, confusion, and, in severe cases, unconsciousness or death. in some cases, users may experience a sudden loss of consciousness or collapse, particularly whentheyinhalelargeamountsin a shortperiod. This is evidencedby recentincreasesof DUls as a result of intoxication from nitrous oxide.
Recent studies indicate that the prolonged misuse of nitrous oxide can have long-term neurological consequences such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Nitrous oxide misuseis moreprevalentin adolescentsandyoungadults, particularlythoseaged 16-25.
In February, the OrangeCountyBoardof Supervisorsapprovedmy proposedordinance to ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide in unincorpated Orange County, becoming the first county in California to address this issue. In March the United States Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory for consumers to not inhale nitrous oxide products, citing serious adverse health impacts when inhaled.
As the second largest city in Orange County, Santa Ana is poised to send a strong signal to the other 33 cities in our county that we must take action to address this public health crisis. I strongly support the adoption of this ordinance.
Si cerely,
Katrina Foley
Vice Chair, Orange County Board of Supervisors
Suoervisor, Fifth District
ProudlyservingthecitiesofAlisoViejo, CostaMesa, DanaPoint, Irvine, LagunaBeach, LagunaHills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San. Juan Capistrano and the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe, and Wagon Wheel