Planning and Building Agency
www.santa-ana.gov/pb
Item # 10
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 4, 2026
TOPIC: Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
AGENDA TITLE
Status Report on the Identification and Historic Evaluation of Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive and file this report.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
Executive Summary
On May 5, 2026, the City Council considered a Councilmember-Requested Item directing staff to identify and evaluate public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and other noteworthy artists for potential designation to the City Register of Historical Properties (“Register”), coordinate with property owners and stakeholders, prepare nomination materials for eligible artworks, and return to the City Council with a status report. On July 21, 2026, the City Council directed that staff should also consider and analyze public artworks by other artists for listing on the Register.
Since that time, staff has initiated implementation of the City Council’s direction by developing an inventory of known public artworks, coordinating with the artists’ families and other stakeholders, and evaluating the process, anticipated costs, schedule, and implementation considerations associated with historic evaluation and potential designation. This report provides a status update on those efforts and outlines the work that will continue as staff advances the project.
This report is informational only and does not designate any mural, sculpture, or public artwork as a historic resource. The inventory included in this report is preliminary and identifies resources that may warrant additional research and historic evaluation.
Inclusion in the inventory or completion of a historic evaluation does not establish that a resource is eligible for designation to the Register. Any future nomination would be
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
considered individually by the Planning Commission through a separately noticed public hearing in accordance with Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC).
Project Background
Santa Ana is home to one of the largest concentrations of Chicano public art in Southern California. The murals and public artworks created by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma are widely recognized as important representations of Chicano history, culture, and artistic expression. Additionally, Santa Ana is also home to a number of public artworks from various artists that reflect the city’s cultural heritage, community narratives, and evolving visual landscape. Those works range from historic tile mosaics to contemporary neighborhood murals. Over the past several decades, concerns have grown regarding the potential loss or deterioration of significant murals in Santa Ana due to demolition, redevelopment, alteration, and deferred maintenance, resulting in increased community interest in long-term preservation strategies.
On May 5, 2026, the City Council considered a Councilmember-Requested Item requesting that staff identify and evaluate remaining works by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma and prepare nominations to the City Register of Historical Properties for eligible works. The requested action specifically included:
1. Identification and documentation of extant murals, sculptures, and public artworks;
2. Evaluation under the criteria of Chapter 30;
3. Coordination with property owners and stakeholders;
4. Preparation of nomination materials; and
5. Returning to the City Council with status updates and recommendations.
Moreover, on July 21, 2026, the City Council directed staff to also consider and analyze public artworks by other artists for listing on the Register. Since receiving the City Council’s direction, staff has initiated evaluation and implementation of each of the requested tasks. The following discussion is organized consistent with the City Council’s direction and summarizes work completed to date, implementation considerations, and the remaining steps necessary to continue the historic evaluation and potential designation of the identified public artworks.
1. Identification and Documentation of Public Artworks
Staff has identified all intact and surviving murals, sculptures, and public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma located throughout Santa Ana. Staff has also documented several public artworks that have been completely removed or destroyed and that are not recoverable for designation or preservation, further demonstrating the need to preserve and protect extant artworks in the City created by these artists. The inventory includes works on City-owned properties, educational campuses, and other public and private properties. Additionally, staff has identified seven additional artworks by various artists that may meet the criteria for listing on the Register, Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
as well as 23 contemporary artworks whose initial review does not suggest eligibility, but will still be evaluated for potential designation.
Staff also initiated coordination with representatives of the Vasquez and O’Cadiz families to assist in identifying and documenting the artists’ public artworks within Santa Ana. Staff met with Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, daughter of Emigdio Vasquez, and María del Pilar O’Cadiz, Ph.D., daughter of Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, who provided historical information, artwork inventories, biographical materials, and other reference documents that assisted staff in verifying artwork titles, locations, and historical context. Information provided through this coordination informed the inventory presented in this report and will continue to support future historic evaluations and potential nominations. Staff will continue coordinating with the Santa Ana Community Artist(a) Coalition, affected property owners, and other stakeholders as the historic evaluation process moves forward.
The inventory is intended to provide an initial understanding of the potential scope of artworks that may be evaluated and does not constitute a determination of historic eligibility. Additional archival research, site surveys, and stakeholder outreach may result in refinement of the inventory or identification of additional works by the artists. As staff continues implementing the City Council’s direction, staff will refine the inventory, verify ownership and accessibility, and determine which works warrant preparation of California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) documentation and potential nomination.
The inventory of known public artworks is summarized below, and the locations of the identified works by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and additional artists are depicted on the Inventory Maps included as Exhibits 2, 3, and 4. Table 1 summarizes the known public artworks identified to date and the potential scope of future evaluations.
Table 2 identifies the extant public artworks that may warrant additional research and consideration for historic designation.
Table 1 –Inventory Summary of Public Artworks
Artist Known Works Extant Works
Known
Demolished/Lost
Works
Potentially
Accessible for
Evaluation
Emigdio Vasquez 12 8 4 41
Sergio O’Cadiz
Moctezuma 7 6 1 6
Various Artists -
Citywide 30 30 0 30
1 Staff continue coordinating with respective property owners to verify current conditions of these artworks.
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
Table 2 –Inventory of Public Artworks Identified for Further Evaluation Artist Title Location Ownership Year Preliminary
Status Address
Emigdio
Vasquez
Chicano
Gothic
Memorial
Park
City of
Santa Ana 1987 Extant 2102 S.
Flower St.
Emigdio
Vasquez
Children,
Yesterday,
Today and
Tomorrow
Madison Park City of
Santa Ana 1988 Extant
1528 S.
Standard
Ave.
Emigdio
Vasquez
Recuerdos de
mi Pueblo
El Tapatio
Dos
Mexicanos
Grill
El Tapatio
Dos
Mexicanos
Grill
1990 Extant 1214 E.
Pomona St.
Emigdio
Vasquez
Spanish,
Indians, and
Today's
Hispanics
Heritage
Museum
Heritage
Museum 1989 Extant 3101 W.
Harvard St.
Emigdio
Vasquez
The Legacy of
Cesar Chavez
Santa Ana
College Santa Ana
College 1997 Extant
1530 W.
Seventeenth
St.
Emigdio
Vasquez
The Strongest
Bond of
Humans
Santa Ana
College Santa Ana
College 1986 Extant
1530 W.
Seventeenth
St.
Emigdio
Vasquez
Visions of
Orange
County
OCTA Transit
Terminal OCTA 1991 Extant
400 W.
Santa Ana
Blvd.
Emigdio
Vasquez
Visions of
Santa Ana
Angels
Community
Park
City of
Santa Ana 1987 Extant 300 N.
Flower St.
Sergio
O’Cadiz
Fremont
Elementary
School Mural
Fremont
Elementary
School
Santa Ana
Unified
School
District
1974 Restored 1930 W.
Tenth St.
Sergio
O’Cadiz
Monroe
Elementary
School Mural
Monroe
Elementary
School
Santa Ana
Unified
School
District
1973 Under
Restoration
417 E.
Central Ave.
Sergio
O’Cadiz
Native
American
Chief
Willard
Intermediate
School
Santa Ana
Unified
School
District
Unknown Extant 1342 N.
Ross St.
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
Artist Title Location Ownership Year Preliminary
Status Address
Sergio
O’Cadiz
Santa Ana City
Hall Concrete
Relief Mural
Santa Ana
City Hall
City of
Santa Ana 1972 Partially
Extant
20 Civic
Center Plaza
Sergio
O’Cadiz Spartan
Lathrop
Intermediate
School
Santa Ana
Unified
School
District
Unknown Modified 1111 S.
Broadway
Sergio
O’Cadiz
The History of
the Chicano
Santa Ana
College
Santa Ana
College 1974 Unknown1
1530 W.
Seventeenth
St.
Millard
Sheets
Home Savings
Santa Ana
(mosaic)
Chase Bank JP Morgan
Chase 1967 Extant 1300 N.
Main St.
Renzo G.
Genci
Home Savings
Santa Ana
(sculptures)
Chase Bank JP Morgan
Chase 1967 Extant 1300 N.
Main St.
Tom Van
Sant and
Tony Sheets
Celebration of
Life
Orange
County
School of the
Arts
The Legacy
Fund 1972 Extant 1010 N.
Main St.
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve
Martinez,
Roger
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
Indio and
India
Street-side
Residential
Rear Wall
City of
Santa Ana 1991 Restored
2034 and
2038 Alco
Ave.
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve
Martinez,
Roger
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
La Bomba and
Lady Santana
Street-side
Residential
Rear Wall
City of
Santa Ana 1991 Restored 2034 Alco
Ave.
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
Artist Title Location Ownership Year Preliminary
Status Address
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve
Martinez,
Roger
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
La Raza
Street-side
Residential
Rear Wall
City of
Santa Ana 1991 Restored 2034 Alco
Ave.
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve
Martinez,
Roger
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
Quetzalcoatl
and Aztec
Calendar
Street-side
Residential
Rear Wall
City of
Santa Ana 1991 Restored 2038 Alco
Ave.
1 Staff continue coordinating with respective property owners to verify current conditions of these artworks.
2. Evaluation Under Chapter 30
Pursuant to Chapter 30 of the SAMC, the City may designate buildings, structures, objects, and sites to the Register if they satisfy one or more of the City’s historic significance criteria. The SAMC specifically contemplates the designation of “objects,” which may include murals, sculptures, and other public artworks.
Staff will be responsible for completing and preparing inventories, historic evaluations, DPR forms, and nomination materials. These materials are advisory and do not establish historic significance or eligibility for designation. The Planning Commission must independently evaluate the evidence presented, apply the historic designation criteria contained in Chapter 30 of the SAMC, consider testimony received during the public hearing process, and determine whether each nominated resource qualifies for designation.
The City may initiate nominations for works located on City-owned properties and may also initiate nominations for works located on other public or private properties, subject to the owner notification requirements contained in Chapter 30. Historic designation would not prohibit future restoration, alteration, relocation, or demolition of a mural. Rather, it would ensure that any such actions are subject to a public review process and Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
consideration of the resource’s historic significance. Implementation of the City Council's direction also requires ongoing coordination with property owners, artists’ families, community organizations, and other stakeholders, as discussed in the following section.
3. Coordination with Property Owners and Stakeholders
Implementation of the City Council’s direction requires ongoing coordination with property owners, public agencies, artists’ families, community organizations, and other stakeholders. As the project advances, staff will continue verifying ownership, obtaining site access where necessary, and coordinating with affected property owners throughout the historic evaluation process. Moreover, several implementation considerations may affect staff’s ability to evaluate and potentially nominate identified artworks. Listed on the following page are considerations for implementation:
Accessibility and Site Documentation - The City’s inventory includes murals and artworks located on City-owned properties, educational campuses, and private properties.
Murals Located Within Building Interiors - Several known murals are located within building interiors. While Chapter 30 permits the designation of “objects,” including public artworks, the SAMC provides limited guidance regarding the regulation and protection of interior murals.
Property Owner Participation and Consent - Chapter 30 does not require property owner consent for the designation of a historic resource. However, property owners must be notified of a proposed nomination. The public hearing process will also provide an opportunity for owners and interested stakeholders to participate in the decision-making process.
Existing Protections Against Repainting or Alteration - Staff is currently evaluating potential amendments to Chapter 30 to expressly address the treatment and protection of designated murals.
Future Modifications, Relocation, and Demolition - The applicability of historic review requirements to relocated murals or substantial modifications would require a case-by-case analysis based on the scope of the proposed work, the significance and integrity of the artwork, and the potential impacts to its character-defining features. Designation itself does not prohibit future restoration, relocation, alteration, or demolition, but designation provides an opportunity for public review and consideration of a mural’s significance.
4. Preparation of Historic Evaluation and Nomination Materials Staff is implementing the historic evaluation process in several phases. While work has begun on the inventory and stakeholder coordination, additional research, documentation, and historic evaluations will continue. The anticipated process includes the following phases:
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
1. Finalize Inventory and Identification, including known extant murals, sculptures, and public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and other notable artists within Santa Ana; confirmation of ownership and accessibility; and outreach to affected stakeholders, including owners.
2. Site Survey and Documentation, including field surveys, photo-documentation, identification of character-defining features, and assessment of the physical integrity and condition of each identified mural, sculpture, and public artwork.
3. Historical Research, including preparation of a comprehensive historic context statement, as well as archival research that includes visits to repositories and interviews or outreach with individuals possessing knowledge regarding the artists and their work.
4. Preparation of DPR Forms using the standard City template for all other historic designations.
5. Historic Designation Proceedings, including public notices, stakeholder engagement, and Planning Commission public hearing for each nomination.
Estimated Timeline and Resources
Timeline - Based on the current scope of work, the overall evaluation effort is anticipated to require approximately 12 months.
Outside Resources
oSpecialized Consultant Assistance - For the more technical components of mural research, photo-documentation, material science, and archival research, the City’s historic preservation consultant, Rincon Consultants, provided a preliminary cost estimate for the preparation of historic evaluations and DPR documentation. Based on the preliminary inventory of approximately 21 extant murals, sculptures, and public artworks identified to date, consultant costs associated with preparing historic evaluations and DPR documentation are estimated at approximately $153,300. This preliminary estimate is based on the consultant’s unit cost of $7,300 per artwork and assumes the evaluations would be completed as part of a coordinated effort, with City staff leading all project management, research, coordination, public outreach, environmental review (if required), preparation of staff reports, and public hearing support. oPublic Notification - Chapter 30 requires public notice to affected property owners prior to consideration of a historic designation; staff obtained an estimate of approximately $8,667 for the preparation of mailing labels, owner/occupant lists, and assessor parcel maps for the identified sites.
Although the inventory includes 21 extant artworks, the noticing estimate is based on 16 sites, as three of the identified artworks are located on the Santa Ana College campus and at the Chase Bank, and therefore correspond to a single noticing location rather than three separate sites.
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
Staff Resources - The City’s historic preservation program is presently administered by a principal and an associate planner. It is estimated that the work effort for this project will require up to 12 hours of work per week for each position during the anticipated 12-month completion period, which amounts to approximately $130,800 in staff time over the 12-month period.
5. Status Update and Next Steps
Since receiving direction from the City Council, staff has completed a preliminary inventory of known public artworks, initiated coordination with the families of Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and community stakeholders, established an implementation strategy for historic evaluations, identified anticipated consultant and public noticing costs, and begun evaluating policy considerations associated with the long-term preservation of designated murals.
The inventory of murals, sculptures, and public artworks presented in this report is intended to serve as a starting point for future historic evaluations and may continue to evolve as additional information becomes available. As implementation progresses, additional archival research, stakeholder outreach, and site investigations may identify additional works by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, or other artists, or provide new information regarding the condition, ownership, accessibility, or historical significance of currently identified artworks. Conversely, some works included in the preliminary inventory may ultimately be determined ineligible for historic designation, may not warrant nomination following completion of the historic evaluation process, or may not be designated by the Planning Commission after consideration of the applicable designation criteria.
Accordingly, the final number of artworks evaluated and nominated may differ from the preliminary inventory presented in this report and could affect the overall project scope, schedule, and consultant resources necessary to complete the initiative.
Staff will continue implementing the City Council’s direction by refining the inventory, conducting historic evaluations, preparing DPR documentation, coordinating with property owners and stakeholders, and, where appropriate, preparing nomination materials for consideration by the Planning Commission through separately noticed public hearings in accordance with Chapter 30 of the SAMC.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The action before the City Council is informational only and does not constitute a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment. Future historic designation actions, if pursued, will be evaluated independently for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
5 0
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with receiving and filing this report. Staff is continuing implementation of the City Council’s prior direction to evaluate public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma. If necessary, staff will return to the City Council, with any future budget amendments, professional services agreement amendments, or other actions required to support consultant services, public noticing, and related implementation costs.
Consultant costs are currently estimated at approximately $153,300 for the preparation of historic evaluation and DPR documentation. In addition, public noticing costs are estimated at approximately $8,667 for mailing labels, owner/occupant lists, and assessor parcel maps. Accordingly, the currently estimated direct consultant and noticing costs total approximately $161,967. Additional City staff costs associated with project management, stakeholder coordination, environmental review (if required), preparation of staff reports, public hearings, and quality assurance have been quantified and are estimated to be $130,800 over the 12-month completion period.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Councilmember-Requested Item dated May 5, 2026
2. Inventory Map of Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez
3. Inventory Map of Public Artworks by Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma
4. Inventory Map of Public Artworks by Additional Artists Submitted By: Ali Pezeshkpour, AICP, Executive Director, Planning and Building Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager