Ward 3 Newsletter: June 2026

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Hello, Ward 3!

June has been a busy month at City Hall and throughout our community. From celebrating Juneteenth, Father's Day, Immigrant Heritage Month, Pride Month, and other cultural traditions that make Santa Ana so vibrant, to wrapping up the City's budget, I've been focused on making sure Ward 3 continues to receive the investment and attention it needs.

I'm proud that this year's budget includes funding for important infrastructure improvements in Ward 3 that I fought hard to secure. While not everyone agreed with these investments, I remained committed to advocating for our neighborhoods because our residents deserve safe streets, well-maintained parks, and quality public spaces.

This month also brought difficult decisions. I voted against dissolving several of the City's commissions because I believe public participation matters. Our commissions give residents a meaningful way to share their expertise, volunteer their time, and help shape the future of Santa Ana. Even when we don't all agree, community voices deserve a seat at the table. At the end of the day, whether the annual expense is $15,000 or $38,000, it is insignificant relative to our total budget. Fiscal responsibility means evaluating both costs and the value received. In this case, cost alone is not a compelling rationale for eliminating commissions that create opportunities for residents to serve their community and provide valuable public input.

As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, I also want to encourage everyone to celebrate safely. With hot weather and dry conditions, please be mindful of fire safety and remember that illegal fireworks are not allowed in Santa Ana. If you're spending time at the pool, beach, or enjoying one of our beautiful parks, keep water safety in mind and never leave children unattended near water.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying engaged in our community. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.

Take care.

Councilwoman Lopez

Councilmember Lopez in our Community!

Celebrating Pride Month in Santa Ana

In honor of Pride Month this June, Santa Ana proudly lit up our iconic water tower in rainbow colors and raised the Pride flag high above our city. This vibrant display is a celebration of love, authenticity, and community. It serves as a visible reminder that LGBTQ+ residents - especially youth - are seen, valued, and welcomed in our city exactly as they are.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated City staff for organizing the flag-raising ceremony and helping bring this meaningful moment to life across Orange County. At a time when many continue to face discrimination and hate, Santa Ana remains committed to being a place of inclusion, respect, compassion, and belonging for all. These symbols matter because they send a clear message: everyone deserves to live freely, safely, and with dignity.

Santa Ana's strength has always come from its diversity. Neighbors from all backgrounds coming together to build a community where everyone can thrive.

Happy Pride Month, Santa Ana!

Congratulations to our SAUSD Class of 2026!

This graduation season, I had the opportunity to attend several commencement ceremonies, and once again, I was reminded of the incredible talent and resilience within our community. It was especially meaningful to see former student interns graduate, along with many young people I've had the privilege to mentor over the years.

Watching our students reach this milestone and step confidently into their next chapter fills me with immense pride. Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and determination, but also the unwavering support of families who continue to make sacrifices and encourage them every step of the way.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Your future is bright, and our community is stronger because of your dedication, resilience, and leadership. We are proud of all that you have accomplished and excited to see the impact you will make in the years ahead.

Strengthening Partnerships with Families Together of Orange County

Our community representative, Valerie Magdaleno, recently toured Families Together of Orange County, where she met with CEO Alexander Rossel and his dedicated team to discuss ways we can work together to better serve the Santa Ana community.

During our visit, we learned more about the organization's incredible impact, including the thousands of Santa Ana residents and families they serve each year through a wide range of health care and supportive services available across Orange County. Their commitment to providing accessible, high-quality care helps improve the health and well-being of our community every day.

We also toured their health center, including the medical, dental, and optometry clinics, where we saw firsthand how comprehensive, patient-centered care is delivered under one roof. It was inspiring to witness the compassionate work of their staff and the welcoming environment they have created for families seeking essential services.

We are grateful to the entire Families Together OC team for their hospitality and for sharing their vision and impact with us. We look forward to building a strong partnership and collaborating on future efforts to expand access to resources and improve the quality of life for Santa Ana families.

Santa Ana College Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony

Thank you to Santa Ana College for the invitation to attend the 2026 Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony. It was an honor to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students whose hard work, determination, and perseverance have earned them well-deserved scholarships. The evening also recognized the 2026 Donor of the Year, Donnie Crevier and the Crevier Family Foundation, for their extraordinary generosity and continued investment in the success of Santa Ana College students.

Congratulations to all of this year's scholarship recipients. Your dedication to your education is inspiring, and your accomplishments reflect the bright future ahead. Thank you to Santa Ana College and its generous donors for creating opportunities that empower students and strengthen our entire community.

Restriping at Riverview Park

I'm excited to share that the park restriping has been completed! A sincere thank you to Riverview residents who partnered with our office and advocated for this improvement. Your collaboration helped make this project possible. If there are additional needs or improvements in your neighborhood, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to listen, support, and help connect you with the resources you need.

Movies in the Park

Movies in the Park at Portola Park was a wonderful community evening filled with fun, families, and connection. Our families enjoyed watching "How to Train Your Dragon," along with community resources, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. It was great to see families gathered together, answering questions, sharing resources, and spending time in the community.

We also extend our appreciation to SAUSD for partnering with us and opening their parking lot for the event. We value and are proud of our strong partnership with our local public school district in supporting community-centered programming. Lastly, many, many thanks to our hardworking Parks and Recreation team. You work unconventional hours, long days, and always keep what is in the best interest of our residents at the forefront. I appreciate your leadership and hard work.

Community Office Hours in June

Community office hours are one of the most meaningful parts of this work. Thank you to everyone who joined us to share ideas, ask questions, and connect with our team. These conversations help us stay grounded in community priorities and strengthen the work we do together.

We look forward to seeing you at our July office hours.

Portola Splash Pad Tour

I always make it a priority to visit infrastructure projects throughout Ward 3 to ensure they are progressing on schedule and to stay informed on their development. Recently, I joined our Public Works team for a tour of the new Portola Park Splash Pad to see the exciting progress firsthand.

This project marks a major milestone for Santa Ana as the City's first dedicated splash pad, creating a fun, safe, and accessible destination where families can cool off, play, and enjoy the outdoors together. The new splash pad will feature interactive water play and spray elements, new shade structures, outdoor showers, and renovated ADA-accessible restrooms, ensuring the space is welcoming and enjoyable for residents of all ages and abilities.

We're excited to share that the grand opening is scheduled for July 18, 2026! Stay tuned for more details. I can't wait to celebrate this exciting new addition to our parks with the entire community.

Recognizing the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce

I was honored to present a Certificate of Recognition to the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce at the June 2 City Council meeting. OCIACC has built one of the most active business and cultural organizations in Orange County, with events like their annual Nowruz celebration drawing thousands of attendees and creating a platform for more than 120 small businesses and nonprofits. Their commitment to workforce development and community inclusion makes them an outstanding civic partner.

Congratulations to the entire OCIACC team.

Recognizing Emad Dalati for his Contributions to the Business Community

At the June 16 City Council meeting, I recognized Emad Dalati, owner of The UPS Store #7792 here in Santa Ana, for his outstanding service and contributions to our community. Emad has built a business that supports residents, small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs throughout our city, and has done it with professionalism and genuine care for every customer. I thank him and his team for giving back to our public schools, our community organizations, and for their investments in our local economy.

Watch the World Cup, Celebrate Safely, and Shop Local

A year ago, many of our families were afraid to be out in public. The streets felt different. Quieter. Heavier. Small businesses were struggling, and our community was hurting in ways that are hard to fully put into words.

These past few weeks, I have watched those same streets come alive. Families out together, flags flying proudly, music spilling out of restaurants, neighbors from every background cheering side by side for the countries their families call home. That is Santa Ana at its best, and I do not take a single moment of it for granted.

The World Cup only comes around every four years, and this summer it is right here in North America. I want to encourage every Ward 3 resident to be part of it locally. Eat at a neighborhood restaurant. Shop at a local store. Catch a game with your community. Every dollar you spend locally goes back into the hands of the families and small business owners who make this city what it is. For a list of watch parties and events happening right here in Santa Ana, visit Travel Santa Ana.

Travel Santa Ana World Cup Watch Parties

Policy Wins and Council Actions

The FY 2026-27 Budget: What it Means for Ward 3

On June 16, the City Council unanimously approved a balanced budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. I want to give Ward 3 residents an honest picture of what is in this budget and what I am watching closely as the year unfolds.

First, what I am glad to see: staff closed a $13 million structural deficit without laying off or furloughing a single full-time employee, and the budget maintains the City's required General Fund reserve. That took real work, and I acknowledge it.

For Ward 3 specifically, this budget includes several investments I pushed for and am proud of. The Capital Improvement Program includes $4.76 million for 17th Street rehabilitation from Grand to Cabrillo Park, $650,000 for restroom and site improvements at Cabrillo Park, $250,000 for a shade structure at Edna Park, $1 million for traffic calming, $651,200 for a Safe Routes to Parks plan, and $350,000 for new streetlights at 18th Street.

I also voted to set aside $1.5 million to purchase land for a new park in the Washington Square neighborhood. These are not small things. These are the kinds of investments that make a real difference in the quality of daily life for our families.

Balancing a $13 million shortfall without laying off a single full-time employee is not something that happens by accident. It is the result of months of work, including community budget workshops, a year-round resident survey and community outreach that drew input from more than 2,800 Santa Anans, and difficult conversations between my office, the City Manager's office, and staff about where to find savings without gutting the services our residents depend on.

I want to be honest with you: not every decision in this budget reflects exactly what I would have chosen. There are cuts I have questions about, and places where I believe the tradeoffs deserve more public explanation than they received. I raised those concerns at the budget hearing, and I will continue raising them as we move through the fiscal year.

During our discussions, I suggested cutting the travel budget for elected officials. I know that's not going to entirely fix a deficit of this level, but I think it can contribute long term. However, the cut wasn't made.

My commitment to Ward 3 is simple: every program, every department, and every dollar will be held to the same standard. The families I represent depend on parks, libraries, youth programs, and public spaces, and I will not stop advocating for those services.

Fighting Your Electric Bill: Taking on SCE at City Hall and in Sacramento

If you have looked at your Southern California Edison bill lately and felt a pit in your stomach, you are not alone. SCE rates have more than doubled since 2016, and today one in five SCE households is behind on their bill by an average of $829. Meanwhile, Edison International reported $4.9 billion in profit last year, even as the company faced responsibility for the Eaton Fire that killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

This is not just an inconvenience. For the working families I represent in Ward 3, a utility bill that keeps climbing is a direct threat to housing stability.

I am bringing a policy item to the City Council to take action on two fronts. First, I am asking the City to prepare and adopt a formal resolution supporting a package of 14 bills moving through the California Legislature right now, before the August 31 floor vote deadline. These bills would cap utility profits, require independent audits of wildfire spending, force data centers to pay for their own grid upgrades instead of shifting those costs to you, and make it easier for renters to access rooftop solar. The City of San Diego voted unanimously to support this same package on June 16, and I want Santa Ana's voice on record, too.

Second, I asked the City Attorney to evaluate whether Santa Ana should formally intervene as a party in ongoing SCE rate proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission, so our city can advocate directly for our residents in those proceedings.

Your electric bill is not an act of nature. The decisions that drive those costs are made in regulatory hearings and legislative committees, and that is exactly where I intend to show up for Ward 3.

OC Group Homes in Santa Ana: What the City Ordinance Means for Your Neighborhood

Last year, the City Council adopted a Group Home Ordinance to establish clear, local rules for group homes and sober-living homes operating in Santa Ana. The City now has a structured permitting process in place, and the first applications are being processed.

Here is what this ordinance does. Small group homes with six or fewer residents require a Group Home Special Use Permit and must meet objective standards, including a mandatory 650-foot separation distance from other similar facilities, a 24-hour on-site house manager, and strict policies on alcohol and drug use. Larger facilities require a Conditional Use Permit and additional review. On-site treatment or clinical services are not permitted in group homes.

The permit process for smaller homes is what is called ministerial, meaning the City must approve the permit if the objective standards are met. Public hearings are held so that residents can present factual evidence about whether a facility meets those standards. If you have questions or want to review the list of permitted facilities and active applications, visit santa-ana.org/group-homes-and-sober-living-homes-in-santa-ana. Complaints can be submitted through the mySantaAna app or at santa-ana.org/submit-a-complaint-online.

OCSA Celebrates 40 Years, with More to Come

In June, the City Council voted to support a refinancing for the Orange County School of the Arts and its supporting nonprofit, The Legacy Fund. To be clear about what this action did and did not do: the City bears no financial liability and took on no debt. Our role was to serve as host approver for a federal tax requirement, which we have done before for other nonprofit institutions. The refinancing will allow OCSA to pay down existing debt and complete capital improvements to its Santa Ana campus. Next year marks OCSA's 40th anniversary, and the school's leadership has shared that they look forward to celebrating with our community, including a ribbon cutting for the new Lisa Argyros Commons. I look forward to celebrating that milestone with them.

Ward 3 Updates and Neighborhood Progress

New Business Coming to 17th Street: Fresh Pavement, Fresh Start

If you noticed paving work along East 17th Street recently, here is what was happening. That work was not a standard City maintenance project. It was completed as a required public improvement tied to the new Baja Fish Tacos coming to 2107 E. 17th St., the former Knowlwood space. When a private development receives City approvals, it often must complete street and infrastructure improvements as a condition of that approval, at the developer's expense and not the City's. That is exactly what happened here. The result is freshly repaved pavement, updated striping, and improved signage along that stretch of 17th Street that our whole community benefits from. Welcome to the neighborhood, Baja Fish Tacos!

Update on Memory Lane

Some of you have reached out asking about the lane configuration change on Memory Lane near Memory Lane Park. Here is what is going on. The City of Orange recently completed a bridge deck pavement overlay project on Memory Lane. As part of that work, lane striping was updated from City Drive through the Santa Ana River bridge near Pacific Avenue. That work was done in coordination with Santa Ana staff to ensure it aligns with our upcoming Memory Lane Bike Lane Project, which is currently out to bid and on track for City Council consideration to award a construction contract in September. The striping you are seeing now is part of a deliberate, coordinated effort, not an accident or an oversight. You can find more information about the Memory Lane Bike Lane Project and other major City projects at santa-ana.org/major-projects.

What You Need to Know about PFAS

You may have heard that the federal Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed scaling back certain drinking water standards for a class of chemicals called PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." I want to make sure Ward 3 residents have the full picture.

The proposed federal changes would remove standards for some PFAS compounds, while keeping limits in place for the two most studied ones, PFOA and PFOS. But here is the key fact: California's own PFAS standards are not changing, and Santa Ana's water operations follow California law.

Our City already has one completed PFAS treatment facility and three more under construction, through a funding and project delivery partnership with the Orange County Water District that fully covers those costs. Any groundwater well with PFAS levels above California thresholds is not in operation until treatment is installed. No water reaches your tap that does not comply with both federal and state standards.

The EPA is accepting public comment on the proposed rule through July 20, 2026, and will hold a virtual public hearing on July 7. If you want to weigh in, you can find the public docket at regulations.gov under Docket ID EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0654. Santa Ana will continue investing in treatment infrastructure regardless of what happens at the federal level.

2026 Point In Time Count Results Are Announced

Every two years, Orange County conducts the federally required Point In Time (PIT) Count to measure homelessness, partnering with all 34 cities, service providers, law enforcement and volunteers. The PIT Count was completed nationwide in late January and Orange County's 2026 Point In Time Summary was released on Monday, May 18. The 2026 results show a 13.7% overall decrease in homelessness since 2024, including a 26.6% drop in unsheltered homelessness.

While many factors influence these trends, the reductions reflect the impact of Orange County's System of Care in helping thousands secure stable housing or avoid homelessness. CalOptima Health supported the 2026 PIT count through a grant to the Orange County Office of Care Coordination. Additionally, Dr. Kelly Bruno-Nelson, CalOptima Health's Executive Director of Medi-Cal/CalAIM, serves on both the Orange County Commission to Address Homelessness and the Orange County Continuum of Care Board, which oversees the execution of the PIT Count.

CalFresh Eligibility Impacts Orange County Residents

Please be aware of significant changes to CalFresh eligibility that will impact Orange County residents. Effective April 1, 2026, certain categories of noncitizens previously eligible for CalFresh no longer qualify. These include asylees, refugees, parolees, battered noncitizens, trafficking victims and individuals with deportation or removal withheld.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) has developed a toolkit, complete with social media copy and graphics, highlighting CalFresh eligibility information. The toolkit and graphics are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Farsi and Arabic.

CalFresh information

Interim Final Rule on Medi-Cal Work Rules Announced

On June 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interim final rule implementing Medicaid work requirements under H.R. 1, requiring certain adult applicants and recipients to complete 80 hours per month of work, education, job training or community service to keep coverage. The rule applies to able-bodied, non-pregnant adults ages 19-64 enrolled through the ACA expansion up to 138% of the federal poverty level. States must implement the policy by January 1, 2027.

The rule includes health- and circumstance-based exemptions, covering people who are pregnant, postpartum, disabled, medically frail, American Indian or Alaska Native, caregivers of young children, those with disabilities, and individuals already meeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work rules.

Supporters argue the policy reduces waste, fraud, and abuse and promotes independence. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians and Primary Care Collaborative, oppose the rule, warning it will restrict access to care and increase administrative burden.

Concerns include:

• Extremely narrow "medically frail" definition, requiring proof that a condition directly prevents meeting 80 hours of work.
• Self-reporting is allowed only temporarily; states will later need to verify exemptions through claims data and documentation.
• Increased barriers for patients with serious conditions, who may now need to demonstrate they are "sick enough" to qualify.
• Millions are projected to lose coverage, despite most Medicaid adults already working or facing barriers to work.
• High costs for states, which must build new systems under tight timelines, are partially offset by a one-time $200 million federal appropriation.

For more information, please read the CMS news release

Upcoming Events and Resources

Free Home Upgrades for Qualifying Santa Ana Residents

Did you know that California has a program that will come to your home and replace gas appliances with efficient electric ones, at no cost to you? The Equitable Building Decarbonization Program, run by the California Energy Commission, is designed specifically for low-income households in under-resourced communities, and Santa Ana is one of the communities currently being served.

If your household earns up to 80% of the area median income and your home uses gas or propane for heating or water heating, you may qualify. Upgrades can include heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, electric dryers, insulation, and more. Everything is installed at no cost to you, and you do not have to pay anything back.

For Santa Ana residents, the program is administered through the Southern California region. You can reach out to [email protected] or visit socalebd.org to learn more and find out if your home qualifies. If you need help connecting with this program, my office is happy to assist.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Program: https://socalebd.org/

Important: Only 'Safe and Sane' Fireworks from July 1-4

As Independence Day approaches, I want to make sure every Ward 3 family knows the rules. Only fireworks bearing the "Safe and Sane" seal are legal within Santa Ana city limits. All other fireworks are illegal, period. Possession or use of illegal fireworks is a crime that can result in a minimum fine of $1,000 or up to six months in jail. Beyond the legal consequences, illegal fireworks are a serious fire and safety hazard in our community.

Safe and Sane fireworks are only permitted during these days and hours:

• July 1: 12 to 10 p.m.
• July 2: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• July 3: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• July 4: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To report illegal fireworks, call the SAPD fireworks hotline at (714) 245-8771, use the online form at santa-ana.org/fireworks, or report through the mySantaAna app.

Mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, and Flea-Borne Typhus: Stay Protected this Summer

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District is urging residents to take precautions this summer. Mosquito samples from Santa Ana have recently tested positive for West Nile virus, and OCMVCD has identified an increased risk of flea-borne typhus in our community.

To protect yourself and your family: dump any standing water around your property weekly, wear mosquito repellent during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk, and avoid contact with fleas. Flea-borne typhus can cause fever, chills, headache, and rash. Seek medical care right away if symptoms develop.

For more information, visit mosquitoessuck.org, ocvector.org/west-nile-virus, and ocvector.org/flea-borne-typhus.

Fourth of July at Centennial Park

Join us for the City's annual Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026, 6-9 p.m. at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.

Fourth of July Celebration

Movies in the Park

2026 Summer Movies in the Park event flyer

Free family-friendly movies at parks across Santa Ana continue on select Fridays through late July. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and movies start at dusk. Complimentary popcorn while supplies last, Spanish-language headsets available with ID, and rotating food vendors on site. Arrive early for the best spots.

Remaining summer screenings:

• July 10: "Goat," PG, Jerome Park
• July 17: "Guardians of the Galaxy," PG-13, Centennial Park
• July 24: "Zootopia 2," PG, Lillie King Park

More info

Portola Splash Pad Ribbon Cutting - July 18

Join me in celebrating the opening of Santa Ana's first dedicated splash pad at Portola Park! This new community amenity features interactive water play and spray elements designed to create a fun, safe, and accessible experience for children and families.

The project also includes new shade structures, outdoor showers, and renovated ADA-accessible restrooms, enhancing comfort, accessibility, and year-round usability. Together, these improvements expand recreational opportunities and help make Portola Park a vibrant destination for Santa Ana residents.

• Saturday, July 18
• 9 a.m.
• Portola Park
• 1700 E. Santa Clara Ave.

Other Local Events

• Free Zoo Days • Third Sunday of each month for Santa Ana residents
• Bowers Museum Free Sundays • Santa Ana residents get in free every Sunday
• Discovery Cube Free Days • Free admission for Santa Ana residents the first Tuesday of each month
• Councilwoman's Office Hours • Come share your questions, concerns, and ideas about your neighborhood or the city

Thank you for reading May's newsletter! If you need assistance, please reach out directly via email at [email protected] or by phone at (714) 822-0891. To access previous newsletters, please visit https://www.santa-ana.org/jessie-lopez/. You are receiving this email because our records show that you reside in Ward 3 or because you have subscribed to Councilwoman Lopez's newsletter. If you would like to opt out of this newsletter, please email [email protected].

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To schedule a meeting with Councilwoman Lopez, please contact [email protected].