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Votes at a glance: Santa Ana City Council actions — CEQA, contracts, committees and a first reading of ethics ordinance
Summary
The Santa Ana City Council approved multiple items including a CEQA determination to pursue right-of-way funding for Fairview Street improvements, contract amendments for two advertising vendors, the repeal of standing subcommittees, and a first reading of an ordinance limiting grants/contracts to immediate family of elected officials.
At its meeting, the Santa Ana City Council recorded the following formal actions and votes (summary):
- Consent calendar (items 4–17, with items 9, 11 and 12 pulled for separate discussion): Approved as presented. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
- Item 9 — Fairview Street Improvements (CEQA determination): Adopted the CEQA determination to allow right-of-way funding applications and property acquisitions for the Fairview Street Improvements Project (17th to Trask). Council also directed staff to explore a protected (Class 4) bike lane and study traffic near Samwell/Samwelli Academy during subsequent design work. Motion moved by Council member Becerra, seconded by Mayor Mesquah. Vote: 4 ayes, 3 nays (nays by Council members Hernandez, Lopez and Penalosa). (See separate article for full coverage.)
- Item 11 — First amendment to agreement with Focus Media Group (bus shelter advertising and maintenance): Approved the amendment to clarify advertisement restrictions and ensure compliance with free-speech requirements after staff review. Motion moved by Council member Lopez; second by Council member Becerra. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, with Council member Hernandez temporarily absent.
- Item 12 — First amendment to agreement with OutFront Media LLC (digital billboards on city property): Approved an amendment extending the agreement period (from three to five years) at the request of the vendor to allow additional permitting time, including required Caltrans approvals. Motion carried 6 ayes, 0 nays, with Council member Hernandez absent.
- Item 18 — Repeal of standing subcommittees: Council considered two motions. A substitute motion to repeal two subcommittees (Legislative and Public Safety & Homelessness) carried on a 4–3 vote. A later amended resolution that additionally repealed the Joint School Collaboration standing subcommittee also passed on a 4–3 vote (final action approved as amended: 4 ayes, 3 nays).
- Item 19 — Repeal of earlier resolution related to the Addington project (2525 N. Main St.): Council adopted a resolution repealing Resolution No. 2019‑107, effectively rescinding prior environmental approvals for the multi-family project at 2525 North Main Street. Motion passed (vote tally not read aloud in transcript; the item was carried by motion). Staff will update the record.
- Item 20 — Ordinance to prohibit awarding grants/contracts to immediate family members of elected officials: The council introduced (first reading) an ordinance adding a new section to the municipal code that would bar awarding agreements, grants or contracts to immediate family members of the mayor, council members or city officials. The ordinance was introduced and the first reading passed (7 ayes, 0 nays); additional readings or adoption steps remain.
Procedural: Several items were pulled from consent for separate discussion and vote. Where vote tallies were not read verbatim in the transcript for a motion, the record shows that the motion carried and staff will provide the certified minutes and official vote log in the published minutes.
Full votes and next administrative steps: Staff will file the formal documents for each adopted action in the council minutes and follow up on implementation tasks — including contract amendments for OutFront/Focus Media, CEQA filings for Fairview, and returning with options on advisory-group and immigration-defense matters as directed by council.
