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Board OKs $100,000 Exception to Santa Ana Flood-Control MOU to Add Security Fencing Along Bikeway
Summary
Acting as the flood-control district, the Orange County Board approved a one-time exception to a 2012 MOU with the City of Santa Ana to add security fencing along the Santa Ana Del High Channel bikeway, citing student assaults and encampment-related public-safety concerns; supervisors debated precedent and long-term solutions.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors, acting in its capacity as the Orange County Flood Control District, voted Nov. 5 to approve a one-time exception to a 2012 memorandum of understanding with the City of Santa Ana to add security fencing along a portion of the Santa Ana Del High Channel bikeway.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento told the board the request followed an incident on June 5, 2024, when students walking from McArthur Intermediate were physically assaulted near the bikeway at Alton Avenue and Flower Street. He said the city identified the section as a safety priority and is contributing roughly $1.1 million toward an approximately $1.2 million project; the board’s limited contribution would help complete the fencing.
"The city identified this bikeway section as a top security concern," Sarmiento said, explaining the requested amendment would allow for fencing that connects school campuses and addresses a dangerous condition.
Several supervisors supported the funding on public-safety grounds but raised caution about setting a precedent for exceptions to MOUs. The interim county CEO told the board the contractual obligation for funding rests with the city and that the county’s use of $100,000 would be discretionary; she warned the board it might prompt similar requests from other cities. "It's up to the board," she said, adding concerns about precedent and existing county spending on flood-control channels.
Supervisor Foley and others pressed for broader analysis and longer-term solutions to encampments and crime in flood channels, suggesting the matter be reviewed by the board's working group on flood-control issues. Supervisor Foley said improved fencing or staffing could be part of a strategy and asked staff to return on priorities and possible alternatives.
The board moved the item, received public comment earlier in the agenda that raised related safety concerns, and carried the motion unanimously.
Outcome and next steps: The board approved the exception and authorized the auditor-controller to distribute funds to the City of Santa Ana; staff said the county's flood-control working group will continue looking at hotspot areas and possible durable fencing or outreach solutions.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously; individual roll-call votes were not read into the record.
