CITY COUNCIL 1 JANUARY 23, 2026
DRAFT Minutes of the Special Meeting
of the City Council
City of Santa Ana, California
January 23, 2026
SPECIAL OPEN MEETING – 9:00 A.M.
CITY HALL, ROSS ANNEX, ROOM 1600
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua convened the Special City Council Meeting to order at 9:16 A.M.
ATTENDANCE Councilmembers
Mayor Pro Tem
Phil Bacerra
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Jessie Lopez
Thai Viet Phan
Benjamin Vazquez
David Penaloza
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Alvaro Nuñez
Sonia R. Carvalho
Jennifer L. Hall
ROLL CALL
MINUTES: City Clerk Jennifer L. Hall conducted roll call.
Councilmembers Bacerra, Phan (arrived at 9:24 A.M.) and Vazquez, Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza, and Mayor Amezcua were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Madisson Alarcon
CITY COUNCIL 2 JANUARY 23, 2026
ADDITIONS\DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
MINUTES: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Public comments will be held during the beginning of the meeting for ALL comments on agenda items ONLY.
MINUTES: None.
MINUTES: At 9:19 A.M., the Work Study Session was considered.
1. City Council Goal Setting
Department(s): City Manager’s Office
Recommended Action: Provide direction.
MINUTES: City Manager Alvaro Nuñez provided a brief presentation on the purpose of the Work Study Session.
Assistant City Manager Kathryn Downs provided a presentation on financial overview, legal liabilities, and the strategic plan update.
Assistant City Manager Minh Thai provided a presentation on fiscal obligations and revenue growth opportunities.
RECESS
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua recessed the City Council for a break at 10:18 A.M.
RECONVENE
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua reconvened the City Council at 10:27 A.M.
Councilmember Bacerra addressed hotels.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding economic development, employer partnerships, being a business friendly community, and customer service.
Councilmember Penaloza spoke regarding the Willowick Golf.
Councilmember Phan spoke regarding budgeting according to the survey priorities, cannabis funding, new businesses, a potential ballot measure, and capitalizing on Little Saigon.
WORK STUDY SESSION
CITY COUNCIL 3 JANUARY 23, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza spoke regarding TOT Tax, cannabis festival, projects in the City that lose traction, and Willowick Golf Course.
Mayor Amezcua requested a report of new businesses under the newly hired Economic Development Specialist and reported the three priorities the Chamber of Commerce businesses identified: City’s public relations, public safety, and the new business permitting process.
Assistant City Manager Thai spoke regarding the City’s new permitting process and the steps being taken to help streamline the process.
Mayor Amezcua spoke in opposition t o the Cannabis Festival. She spoke regarding Willowick Golf Course, a nd requested research on the cost difference of contracting fire services versus in house services, as well as unhoused services costs and how unhoused services can be more cost effective to the City.
City Manager Nuñez spoke regarding a City -wide survey, the City’s sales tax, and state funding restrictions.
Councilmember Bacerra spoke regarding fire services, permitting process, and Santa Ana Stadium improvements.
Discussion ensued regarding hotel accommodations in the City and meeting with the City of Garden Grove regarding the Willowick Golf Course.
RECESS
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua recessed the Work Study Session at 11:50 A.M.
RECONVENE
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua reconvened the Work Study Session at 12:38 P.M.
MINUTES: Assistant City Manager Thai spoke regarding the Riverview Golf Course lease, improvements, and future operations.
Mayor Amezcua spoke regarding the Riverview Golf Course improvements , future contracts, and requested the public be notified of the City’s plan to take over the golf course management.
Discussion ensured regarding strategic goals such as financial stability, modern facilities and infrastructure, and focusing on CIP projects to reduce liability, protect existing assets, and generate revenue.
Mayor Amezcua spoke regarding safety issues and ensuring there is clarity that issues like human trafficking, pedestrian collisions, and organized crime are not exclusive to the unhoused population.
CITY COUNCIL 4 JANUARY 23, 2026
Councilmember Vazquez requested traffic safety information be provided at City events.
Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza spoke regarding a potential correlation between jaywalking decriminalization and the number of fatalities.
Discussion ensued regarding bike lanes, bike safety, and community policing.
Councilmember Phan spoke regarding police officer staffing shortages , community policing, and setting realistic expectations.
Deputy Chief Chuck Elms spoke regarding the use of technology to assist officers on calls and alleviate staffing shortages.
City Manager Nuñez spoke regarding maximizing staffing across the Police, Public Works, Planning and Building, and Parks and Recreation Departments.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding allocating vacant police officer positions to positions such as dispatch, traffic officers, and mental health professionals.
Discussion ensued regarding police officer staffing and t he importance of City staff verbiage used when public facing.
Councilmember Bacerra spoke in appreciation of the productive dialogue and hope d it will have positive results.
Councilmember Vazquez spoke regarding the importance of employee morale and benefits.
Mayor Amezcua thanked everyone for attending and staff for their hard work.
City Manager Nuñez thanked the Councilmembers for attending and stated staff will be in contact with those who were unable to attend the meeting.
**END OF WORK STUDY SESSION**
ADJOURNMENT – Adjourn the City Council meeting.
MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua adjourned the Special City Council Meeting 1:43 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
__________________________
Jennifer L. Hall, CMC
City Clerk