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Santa Ana approves one‑year CityNet outreach contract after debate; council demands year‑end reporting
Summary
Council approved a one‑year, roughly $3.75 million contract with CityNet for outreach and engagement services to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness after debate over county responsibility and contract oversight. The council added a requirement for quarterly reports and a detailed year‑end report before any renewal.
The Santa Ana City Council voted to approve a one‑year contract with CityNet to continue outreach, engagement and cleanup services focused on people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The contract was described in staff materials as an extension of the Orange County Outreach and Engagement Program in Santa Ana; staff and proponents said CityNet's teams connect people to housing, behavioral health and other supports.
The motion passed 6–1 after robust debate about county responsibilities and the proper role of cities in funding outreach. Councilmember Sal Becerra cast the lone "no" vote, saying the county advertises the Outreach and Engagement Program yet does not fully deliver services locally and that the city should press the county harder to meet its obligations. "For a community like ours to spend $3,750,000 on a service the county says it provides, I just can't do it," Becerra said.
Supporters said CityNet provides on‑the‑ground capacity Santa Ana needs while the city continues to press the county and state for more shelter and services. Councilmember Benjamin Vasquez, who moved the contract, described it as a necessary complement to enforcement and shelter efforts: "Without this item, without these outreach teams, our officers would be left with fewer non‑enforcement options," he said.
As part of an amendment adopted during the meeting, the council required quarterly performance reporting and a detailed end‑of‑year report on contacts, referrals, housing placements and related outcomes; staff must return with that report before CityNet's contract can be renewed. The amendment passed on a majority vote and was included in the approved document.
Votes at a glance: motion by Councilmember Vasquez, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez — approved 6–1 (Becerra dissenting); amendment adding an end‑of‑year renewal report also approved.
Staff said the one‑year term and reporting requirements are intended to allow the city to monitor outcomes, coordinate with the county and CalOptima, and evaluate whether a longer, in‑house model or other approaches would be more effective in the future.
The contract will be administered by the city manager's office and community services and includes deliverables covering outreach shifts, engagement metrics and coordination with police and social‑services partners. Councilmembers asked staff to ensure reporting uses a consistent format so year‑to‑year performance is comparable.
