Zuniga, Diana
From: Victor D Mendez <
Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2025 3:45 PM
To: Lopez, Jessie
Cc: Magdaleno, Valerie; Jeffrey Katz
Subject: Update on East First Street
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Councilmember Lopez:
I appreciate the questions and preparation you made at the Budget Workshop this past week. I would have liked to have gone, but unfortunately it took longer to get home from LA than expected and I missed public comments.
I want to take this time to provide some updates and issues for you, as well as Valerie.
FY 25- 26 Budget
Please continue to advocate for improved street lighting along East First St. If anything, please try to get a study or project in the pipeline. It will enhance both aesthetics and public safety.
Meeting w/ Public Works
The East First Rehab Project Team has reached out and we will schedule a meeting soon.
I am concerned that we are only beginning the communications and engagement efforts @ 90% design.
This past week Public Works came to ZDNA and provided great information on the Stormwater Capture Project. The project is currently @ 60% design, which allows for community engagement. We will speak to City Staff about how they intended to recover the engagement process.
I will provide an update to you and the Mayor following the meeting.
East First Street Conditions
The general consensus that I have captured is that conditions along East First St have improved and the area seems much safer. There is still work to do in terms of drug activity, but there is no doubt the effort to date has led to vast improvements for the area.
Metro East Conditions
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The residents I have spoken with unanimously agree that the conditions in Metro East have improved. There are now safety/ access controls and the Property team is pretty customer service oriented. A community meeting was held a few weeks and ConAm and the owners were present. A survey has been distributed.
I believe the issues have been largely narrowed to " Property Management" issues vs large scale concerns over the Development Agreement. Property Management does need to work on being more visible and enforcing rules and regulations across the board.
I have lived here for 4 years and can say the situation is about as good as it has been during that time. More work still needed but on the right track.
Please try to come to Ice Cream Social with Residents and SAPD, this coming Wednesday, May 21st @ 2: 30 pm. We will have it in the 6th floor SkyView Room.
Let me know if you can make it so I can arrange Parking.
On a more personal note, I am going to be engaging in a volunteer effort to engage college oriented youth about the opportunities at UCLA.
I got SAUSD engaged for a few years, but want to take the effort deeper into the community. I have discussed this with Boys and Girls Club and PAL, but want to know if there are other groups that could benefit from this effort.
Thanks for your efforts and I hope to see you on the 21st.
VICTOR D MENDEZ
Metro East Resident
Co- Founder, Zoo District Neighborhood Association
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