Santa Ana council approves downtown Clean & Safe contract, council says parking revenue will fund program

The Santa Ana City Council approved an agreement with DTI 6 Services on Jan. 20 to operate a downtown Clean and Safe program aimed at keeping the city’s central business district presentable and safer for merchants and visitors.

Mayor Amezcua said she would vote yes and thanked residents and business owners who had submitted support for the item. “Voy a votar sí porque sé lo importante que esto es para los comerciantes del centro,” she said during debate.

Council discussion focused on funding and contract oversight. Manager José Romo said the city is trying to be “very conservative financially” and described the arrangement as one that will be reviewed annually: “Este contrato nos permite revisar cada año para que estemos tomando las decisiones correctas para ser responsables con el dinero.” Romo also told the council he expects parking revenues to cover the program’s costs and said the goal is to maintain a sustainable contract.

Supporters at the meeting said the program draws people into the downtown core and helps businesses. A resident who leads downtown outreach praised the staff and volunteers for keeping streets clean and safe, saying the visible work has helped merchants and public events.

The clerk recorded the motion as passed in the meeting minutes; the transcript records the motion as approved (the clerk reported the motion passed and the record indicates the motion was carried). The council directed staff to monitor program performance and return with financial information as part of the annual review.

Next steps: Staff will implement the agreement with DTI 6 Services, continue monitoring expenses versus parking-revenue projections and report back to the council during the contract review process.