Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 40
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 2, 2025
TOPIC: Ceremonial Street Naming of Felipa and Juan Sariñana Way
AGENDA TITLE
Public Hearing – Resolution Authorizing Ceremonial Street Naming of Felipa and Juan Sariñana Way (General Fund)
Legal notice published in the OC Reporter on November 21, 2025.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Ceremonial Street Naming of Felipa and Juan Sariñana, at 5th Street between Hawley Street and Sunset Street.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DIRECTING AND AUTHORIZING A
CEREMONIAL STREET NAME FELIPA AND JUAN SARIÑANA WAY ALONG 5TH STREET FROM HAWLEY STREET TO SUNSET STREET
2. Direct Staff to install two (2) Ceremonial Signs at the intersections of 5 th Street at Hawley Street and 5th Street at Sunset Street.
3. Waive the requirements of the application process, pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 33-262(e), including all applicable fees and charges in the amount of $2,494.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On August 2, 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS-3024 to recognize outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact on their communities through the commemorative or honorary naming of streets or intersections.
In accordance with the ordinance, Councilmember Hernandez submitted a request to honor Felipa and Juan Sariñana, recognizing the profound and lasting impact that their lives had on preserving cultural heritage, fostering community connection, and contributing to the social and economic fabric of the City of Santa Ana.
Ceremonial Street Naming of Felipa and Juan Sariñana Way December 2, 2025
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Felipa and Juan Sariñana, immigrants from the Mexican state of Durango, laid the foundation for what would become the oldest Mexican restaurant in Orange County:
Sariñana’s Tamale Factory. After settling in Santa Ana in 1921, they opened the restaurant in 1939 in the heart of the Artesia Pilar neighborhood. Their culinary legacy, deeply rooted in Duranguense tradition, introduced generations of Santa Ana residents to authentic tamales, taquitos, menudo, and other traditional Mexican dishes.
Now operated by their fifth-generation descendant, Teresa Rodriguez Nieves, and supported by subsequent generations of the Sariñana family, the restaurant continues to serve loyal customers, many of whom have been dining there for decades.
The Ceremonial “Felipa and Juan Sariñana Way” signs are proposed to be installed adjacent to the restaurant along 5th Street at Hawley Street and 5th Street at Sunset Street (Exhibit 1-2).
The ordinance requires a resolution for the approval of the ceremonial sign (Exhibit 3).
Additionally, the ordinance allows for certain requirements, such as notice of application and program fees to be waived by majority vote of the City Council when the request is initiated by a current Councilmember. Approval of the third Recommended Action would waive the ceremonial street name installation fees in the amount of $2,494.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon City Council approval of Recommended Action number 2 to produce and install two (2) ceremonial street signs, a total amount of $2,494 in fees will need to be paid by the applicant in accordance with the City Council adopted Miscellaneous Fee Schedule.
Additionally, if Council approves Recommended Action number 3 to waive these fees, funds are available in Account No. 01104012-62300 for the procurement and installation of the signs.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit-Account
No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit -
Account Description Amount
2025-26 01104012-
62300
General
Fund
City Council Service
Enhancement, Contract
Services-Professional
$2,494
Total $2,494
Ceremonial Street Naming of Felipa and Juan Sariñana Way December 2, 2025
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EXHIBIT(S)
1. Ceremonial Street Signs for Felipa and Juan Sariñana Way
2. Signage Locations Map
3. Resolution
Submitted By: Rodolfo Rosas, P.E., Executive Director – Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager