Becerra, Alexis
From: Philip Serghini < philip. serghini@walmart. com> Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 2:16 PM
To: eComment; !City Clerk
Subject: Self- Check Out Proposed Ordinance
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Good afternoonMayor and City Council.
I am writing in strong opposition to the proposed ordinance that would regulate self- checkout operations at grocery storesin SantaAna.
This ordinance is being pushedby a special interest group in several Southern California cities. In Long Beach, proponents touted this measure as an attempt to improve security and reduce theft. This has not been the result.
The impact on operationshasproven to be anunnecessaryburden andthere hasbeenzero impact on theft. Customers who prefer the self- checkout have been frustrated and inconvenienced.
Self- checkout is one of several options customers rely on— especially for small baskets, time sensitive trips, and customerswho prefer a faster, more private transaction. A one size fits all mandate (suchasfixed staffing ratios, limits on the number of self- checkout lanes, or restrictions by time of day) increases wait times, reduces flexibility during peak periods, and makesit harder for storesto respondto real time customer flow. During busy periods, self- checkout helps prevent long lines that can spill into aisles and create congestion. Restricting self-checkout canpush more customersinto fewer staffed lanes, increasing crowding and frustration conditions that can lead to more disputes and a less safe environment for associates and customers.
This proposal would limit innovation and create compliance complexity. Retail operations vary widely by store size, layout, neighborhood needs, and customer demographics. A rigid ordinance would require constant monitoring, documentation, and enforcement decisions— diverting time from serving customers. It also risks becoming outdated ascheckout technology evolves (scanand go, mobile pay, assistedcheckout, accessibility features).
We share the City' s goals of safe stores, good customer service, and fair access. However, the proposed ordinance would reduce customer choice, increase costs, and constrain store operations without clear evidence it will achieve its intended outcomes. For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to vote " NO" on this proposal.
Thank you
Philip H. Serghini, Director
Public Affairs & State & Local Government Relations
Phone: 619. 306. 5644
5663 Balboa Ave. # 275
San Diego, CA 92111
Philip. Serghini@Walmart. com
i
Wal- Mart Stores, Inc.
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2 Zuniga, Diana
From: Adrian Pineda <
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2026 11:09 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Comment Opposition: Grocery Self- Checkout Ordinance Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Comment Opposition: Grocery Self-Checkout Ordinance
Dear Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Council Members,
As a resident of Santa Ana, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the pending ordinance regarding supermarket self- checkout restrictions scheduled for next Tuesday' s meeting.
California already faces the highest grocery prices in the nation. With grocery margins averaging a slim 1. 7%, adding 500, 000 in machine removal costs and forced staffing ratios will inevitably be passed down to local consumers on store shelves.
Furthermore, limiting self- checkout to 15 items and restricting locked merchandise creates massive friction for everyday shoppers, forces employees to police checkout lanes, and drives local business online. This ordinance creates an inconvenient shopping environment and increases the cost of living in a city that already burdens its residents with the highest sales tax in Orange County.
This policy explicitly benefits special interest labor groups at the direct expense of your constituents' wallets and time. I urge you to vote NO on this ordinance.
Sincerely
Adrian Pineda
1 Zuniga, Diana
From: Mary Janet Ramos < mramos@ufcw. org>
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 10:47 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Agenda Item 20 RE: Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standardsfor Self ServiceCheckout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments
Attachments: CA Santa Ana SCO Letter of Support. pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
To whom it may concern,
Please find attached a letter of support for Agenda Item 20. RE: Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments.
Thank you,
Mary Janet( MJ) Ramos
Senior Political Coordinator
Legislative& Political Action Department
United Food and Commercial Workers, Int' I
Cell: 202- 341- 0599
mramos@ufcw. org
Follow UFCW Votes on Instagram& Facebook
1 May 18, 2026
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL
Dear Members of the Council:
RE: City of Santa Ana Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self- Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments I am writing in support of the OrdinanceEstablishing Staffing and Operational Standardsfor Self- Service Checkout Stationsat Drug andFood Retail Establishmentsin the City of SantaAna. This ordinanceis a common- sense solution to the problems of public safety and retail theft in the city.
For too long, the grocery and drug store industry has led a sustained effort to reduce labor cost with the implementation of self- checkout kiosks. This has created a domino effect that has led to systemic understaffing at the expense of workers and the public. Customers, especially seniors or people with disabilities areleft to fend for themselveswith technology that is not designedto accommodatetheir needs.
Workers areleft managingthe entire self-checkoutareaby themselveswhile dealingwith customer grievance or errors, answering phones, or unlocking items behind theft deterrent glass. Creating an unsafe environment for customers and workers. Workers are often exposed to unsafe high conflict interactions with customers. This leads to high volumes of retail theft and a loss of tax revenue for both state and local government.
The 3: 1 kiosk- to-worker ratio will ensure stores are adequately staffed and therefore safe for the public.
Identical measureshave been enactedin the cities of Long Beach and Costa Mesa, California.
Similar measureswere considered this year in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York City, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Tennessee.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union( UFCW) is America' s largest food worker union that represents 1.2 million workers across the entire country that work in the grocery, retail, and meatpacking sector. Our membersput food on the table for communities herein SantaAna aswell asthe rest of America.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
t deruoQa 6v* do
International Vice President
Director, Legislative& Political Action Department
Milton L. Jones, International President
United Food& Commercial Workers International Union, AFL- CIO, CLC Michael S. Haggerty, International Secretary- Treasurer 1775 K Street, NW' Washington DC 20006- 1598 Office( 202) 223- 3111 ' Fax( 202) 466- 1562' www. ufcw. org Zuniga, Diana
From: OCTax Events < events@octax. org>
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 1:22 PM
To: eComment
Subject: OCTAX Opposition to Santa Ana City Council Agenda Item 20 Attachments: 5.18.26 OCTAXSantaAna Agenda Item (1).pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, OCTAX is writing to submit this letter in opposition to an important issue being discussed at the Santa Ana City Council final hearing on May 19, 2026. The letter is in Opposition to Agenda Item 20- Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Sincerely,
Erik Weigand
President
Orange County Taxpayers Association
i
May 18, 2026
OCTax.org
OrangeCountyTaxpayersAssociation
Santa Ana City Hall
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Opposition to Agenda Item 20- Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Staffing and Operational Standards for Self- Service Checkout Stations in Drug and Food Retail Establishments
Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, The Orange County Taxpayers Association represents taxpayers on government tax and spending issues, advocating for policies that are fair, transparent, cost- effective, and supportive of the economy.
We are writing regarding Agenda Item 20 on the May 19 Santa Ana City Council agenda; the second reading of the proposed ordinance establishing staffing and operational standards for self- service checkout stations in drug and food retail establishments. We are concerned this ordinance would impose significant restrictions on the use of self- checkout technology.
We are confident that this ordinance would:
1) Increase Costs for Consumers: Self checkout machines allow stores to control costs, reduce wait times, and provide faster, more convenient service. Restricting or banning these machines results in higher staffing costs, new compliance burdens, and reduced operational efficiency. 2) Hurt Neighborhood Stores& Community Access: Small and independent retailers are often the only convenient option for families. Policies that increase operational costs and reduce efficiency make it harder for stores to stay open, keep prices affordable, and continue serving local residents.
3) Limit Consumer Choice and Convenience: Self Checkout provides a fast and convenient option for consumers making quick trips, purchasing only a few items or shopping during peak hours. Limiting these options restricts flexibility for consumers, creating one- size- fits- all approach that does not reflect the average Californians' shopping experience.
The concerns outlined above such as increased costs for consumers, added burdens on neighborhood stores, and reduced convenience and choice for residents, directly conflict with our principles and would ultimately harm the taxpayers and communities this Council serves. We respectfully urge the Santa Ana City Council to reject this proposed ordinance and instead support policies that preserve affordability, consumer flexibility, and economic opportunity for all residents of Santa Ana.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Orange County Taxpayers Association- PO Box 5881 Orange, CA 92863 Sincerely,
OCTax.org
OrangeCountyTaxpayersAssociation
Erik Weigand
President
Orange County Taxpayers Association
Orange County Taxpayers Association- PO Box 5881 Orange, CA 92863