Ward 3 Newsletter: July 2026

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Hello Ward 3 Neighbors,

As we wrap up another incredible July, I want to thank everyone who joined us for our Fourth of July celebrations, community events, grand openings, and back-to-school activities. From neighborhood gatherings and community partnerships to family-friendly events, it has been inspiring to see our community come together to support one another. Your participation and commitment are what make Ward 3 such a vibrant place to call home.

Improving our neighborhood infrastructure continues to be one of my top priorities. Over the past fiscal year, the City completed sidewalk reconstruction at 124 locations throughout Ward 3, with improvements focused in the Casa de Santiago, Fisher Park, and Park Santiago neighborhoods. This month, I also brought forward an item asking our City Manager and City Attorney to prepare a resolution supporting the Utility Affordability and Accountability Legislative Package. A set of state bills designed to cap excessive utility profits, require independent audits of wildfire spending, increase transparency in how rates are calculated, and shift infrastructure costs for data centers away from residential ratepayers.

As summer comes to a close and students prepare to return to school, I want to wish every student, parent, teacher, and school staff member a wonderful start to the new school year. I hope you had the opportunity to rest, and spend time with loved ones.

I look forward to seeing you at future events as we continue working together to build a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Santa Ana.

With gratitude,

Councilwoman Lopez

Councilmember Lopez in our Community!

Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway a Success!

What an incredible turnout at our Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway at Santa Ana High School! Together, we helped ensure hundreds of our students began the new school year with the supplies and support they need to succeed.

Thanks to the generosity of our partners and sponsors, we distributed more than 800 backpacks filled with school supplies, along with socks, sweaters, and other essential items. Families also had the opportunity to connect with a variety of community organizations offering valuable programs and resources.

A special thank you to United Across Borders, SAUSD Trustee Valerie Magdaleno, and Hector Bustos for their partnership and leadership in making this event possible. We are also deeply grateful to our community partners, volunteers, and sponsors whose dedication and generosity helped make this event such a tremendous success.

Together, we are investing in our students and helping ensure every child starts the school year equipped with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Celebrating 4th of July in Santa Ana

July began with a wonderful Fourth of July celebration as families from across Santa Ana came together to celebrate our nation's independence. Thank you to the dedicated City employees, volunteers, and community partners whose hard work made the event possible.

As we celebrated, I found myself thinking about the generations of immigrants, workers and civil rights leaders whose courage helped expand the promise of freedom and opportunity. I hope you and your family had a safe, joyful and memorable Fourth of July.

Celebrating La Colmena's First Anniversary

I was thrilled to join the celebration of La Colmena's first anniversary and recognize one year of building community, creating opportunities, and bringing neighbors together in Santa Ana.
La Colmena has become much more than a gathering place. It is a community-owned and operated space where residents connect, collaborate, and grow together. Through urban farming, support for local businesses, and community-led events, La Colmena continues to strengthen neighborhoods and foster a healthier, more connected Santa Ana.
Congratulations to everyone who has helped make La Colmena a success over the past year. Thank you for your dedication to creating a welcoming space where our community can come together, support one another, and continue building a stronger Santa Ana.

A Splash of Fun at Portola Park

My office was thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of the new Portola Park Splash Pad. Watching kids run through the new splash pad this summer, soaked head to toe and laughing, it's clear what a thoughtful park investment can do. The splash pad has 10 interactive water features and was funded entirely through Santa Ana's Cannabis Public Benefit Fund, meaning cannabis tax revenue is going straight into the amenities families use every day. We also renovated the park restrooms so they are ADA accessible, on top of recent upgrades to the tennis and basketball courts, new LED lighting, outdoor fitness equipment and a hydration station for people and pets.

Every family deserves a high quality public space close to home, and Portola Park keeps getting better. I hope you'll stop by and enjoy it this summer.

New Dog Park Opens in Mabury Park

After months of advocating on behalf of our four-legged neighbors, I'm excited to share that Mabury Park has a new dedicated dog park area. We're transforming an existing green space within this beloved neighborhood park into a place where dogs can play, families can spend time together, and neighbors can build community.

A special thank you to our Public Works Agency and the Mabury Park Neighborhood for supporting this project. I can't wait to see this underutilized space come to life.

New Shade Structures at Cabrillo Park

The new shade structures at Cabrillo Park are officially installed, providing real relief from the sun for families, children and everyone who visits the park. Thank you to our community for your patience while construction was underway. Our team will continue to monitor the shades and pivot if improvements need to be made.

Investing in our neighborhood parks helps create safer, more welcoming public spaces where residents can gather, play and connect. I'm proud to lead these efforts and make real investments. If you have questions, concerns or ideas to improve Ward 3, my office is always here to listen.

Honoring Santa Ana's Future Leaders

In July, I had the time of my life celebrating the world cup, being with our community, and making new life long memories. I was especially thrilled to recognize the young athletes who participated in the 2026 Lay's World Cup Soccer Tournament, a free, six-week tournament that brought together 192 youth from across Santa Ana in a tournament modeled after the FIFA World Cup. I'm incredibly proud that Santa Ana was selected as the only U.S. host city for this international program, made possible at no cost to families through the support of Common Goal.

One highlight was recognizing eight students who earned the chance to represent Santa Ana and the United States alongside teams from Portugal and Italy, and to attend a 2026 FIFA World Cup match in Los Angeles. To all who took part, thank you for representing Santa Ana with integrity and heart.

Lightning Youth Academy Gives Back at Edna Park

This July, my office partnered with OC Habitats and the Lightning Youth Academy for a community cleanup at Edna Park and its surrounding trails, a space the Academy regularly uses training. It was especially meaningful to see these young athletes give back to the space they call home, showing that leadership extends beyond athletics into service.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to protect and beautify our shared public spaces. Our office is proud to continue leading these efforts and help create a cleaner, greener, and stronger Santa Ana.

A Certificate of Recognition for Jonathan Martinez

During our July Council Meeting, I had the honor of presenting artist Jonathan Martinez, known as Art of Endangered, with a Certificate of Recognition. For the past 10 years he has created vibrant murals and mixed media paintings that celebrate wildlife and inspire conservation, including a mural at Esperanza Elementary with the National Wildlife Federation, and his work has earned collaborations with the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund.

Thank you, Jonathan, for using your talent to inspire our community's connection to the natural world. Congratulations on a well deserved recognition.

Ward 3 Updates and Neighborhood Progress

Investing in Safer Neighborhoods

Improving our neighborhood infrastructure continues to be a top priority. Over the past fiscal year, the City completed sidewalk reconstruction at 124 locations throughout Ward 3, with improvements focused in the Casa de Santiago, Fisher Park, and Park Santiago neighborhoods. These upgrades help create safer, more accessible streets for residents, families, and pedestrians.

Work is already underway for the current fiscal year, with additional sidewalk improvements planned in the Morrison and Mabury Park neighborhoods, as well as around Portola Park. I remain committed to advocating for infrastructure investments that enhance safety, improve accessibility, and strengthen the quality of life for everyone in Ward 3.

Councilmember Lopez Council Requested Items and Policy Wins

Standing Up for Southern California Edison Ratepayers

Southern California Edison rates have more than doubled since 2016, and 1 in 5 SCE households is now behind on their bill by an average of $829. This month I brought forward an item asking our City Manager and City Attorney to prepare a resolution supporting the Utility Affordability and Accountability Legislative Package, a set of state bills that would cap utility profits, require independent audits of wildfire spending, increase transparency in how rates are calculated and shift infrastructure costs for data centers off residential ratepayers.

San Diego adopted a nearly identical resolution just weeks ago, and I'm proud Santa Ana is joining that coalition. I also asked our City Attorney to evaluate whether we should seek formal party status before the CPUC, so our residents have a real seat at the table on rate decisions, not just a resolution on file.

Protecting Santa Ana's Chicano Art Legacy

Santa Ana holds one of the largest concentrations of Chicano public art in Southern California, and this month our Council received a status update on efforts to identify and evaluate public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma for historic designation. Staff has identified 12 known works by Vasquez and 7 by O'Cadiz, working directly with both artists' families throughout. I asked staff to prioritize 2 pieces from my original request, Chicano Gothic at Memorial Park and the concrete relief mural at City Hall, and to focus on protecting our interior murals, which have limited protection under current code.

City Ballot Measure

Last month, the full City Council considered placing a measure on the November ballot to remove the scheduled rate reduction and sunset on our local sales tax, making the 1.5-cent tax permanent. I voted no.

2026 Ballot Measure Information

Opposing an Inequitable Approach to Regional Reentry Services

This month our Council discussed a proposed Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center at the former Youth Guidance Center site here in Santa Ana. I'm not opposed to reentry services. I support second chances and the housing, behavioral health and workforce investments that help people rebuild their lives. What I oppose is Santa Ana absorbing another regional facility without an equitable distribution of these services across the County.

This site was selected by the County back in 2021 with no community engagement and zero notification to the City of Santa Ana, and our community is only learning the real details now. I supported directing our City Manager to formally oppose this site and advocate for a transparent, countywide siting review based on objective criteria, and I asked our City Attorney to evaluate what legal options are available to us.

Upcoming Events and Resources

Free admission to local attractions for Santa Ana residents

Did you know that Santa Ana residents can enjoy free admission to some of our city's most popular attractions? Through special community programs and partnerships, residents have the opportunity to explore local museums, educational exhibits, and wildlife experiences at no cost on select days throughout the month.

Whether you're visiting the Discovery Cube Orange County, spending the day at the Santa Ana Zoo, or exploring the exhibits at theBowers Museum, these programs make it easier for families to enjoy fun, educational, and enriching experiences close to home. Be sure to take advantage of these great community benefits and plan your next family outing!

Join Us for Our Monthly Community Cleanups!

We're excited to continue our monthly community cleanups in partnership with OC Habitats as we work together to keep Santiago Park and the Santiago Creek Trail clean, safe, and beautiful.

Mark your calendars and join us from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the following Saturdays:

• September 5, 2026
• October 3, 2026
• November 7, 2026
• December 12, 2026
• January 23, 2027
• February 6, 2027
• March 27, 2027*
• April 24, 2027*
• May 22, 2027*

Location: Santiago Park & Santiago Creek Trail
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Whether you're a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, we'd love to have you! Every cleanup makes a difference in protecting our environment and creating a cleaner, healthier community for everyone.

We hope to see you there!

Immigration, Food, and Community Resources

The City of Santa Ana is committed to connecting residents with resources that support our community, whether that's navigating immigration-related questions, accessing food resources, or finding community programs.

Residents can access the following resources:

• Know Your Rights: information and legal resources related to immigration matters
• Ayuda Sin Fronteras: assistance and support for residents impacted by immigration enforcement
• ImmDef Legal Services: through a City partnership with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, residents facing deportation may receive legal support and representation
• Food Assistance: information about Santa Ana and Orange County food distributions and assistance programs
• Community Resources: additional programs and services are available to help support residents and families

Who Do I Call at City Hall?

For questions, concerns, or assistance with City services, residents can contact:

• City Hall Main Line: 714-647-5400
• Code Enforcement: 714-667-2780
• Graffiti Hotline: 877-786-7824
• Emergency Water Services: 71- 953-8026
• Public Works Dispatch (street sweeping, trees, and other services): 714-647-3380

The City of Santa Ana is here to serve our residents and ensure our community has access to the information and support they need.