Santa Ana is the only known jurisdiction, out of Orange County’s 34 cities, to authorize the sale of recreational marijuana when that option opens up to California communities starting January 1.
Tag: Michele Martinez
Posted inEconomy, Investigative, Santa Ana, Transportation
Santa Ana to Pay $1 Million for Car Dealers’ New Digital Billboard
The dealerships aren’t required to pay the city back, except if sales taxes paid by buyers don’t replenish the reserves in 10 years, which city staff said was unlikely.
Posted inSanta Ana
Divided Santa Ana Council Gets Personal While Appointing New City Manager
“This is probably the most political and divisive city council Santa Ana has had,” Councilwoman Michele Martinez said as the council debated the appointment. “Let’s be honest with each other. We really don’t like one another, and we really don’t trust one another.”
Posted inEconomy, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana Officials Endorse Worker-Owned Businesses and Declare Intent to Support Them
The City Council directed staff to study actions to assist cooperatives – such as reducing business license fees and allowing them to apply for small business grants – and bring back recommendations to the council within 90 days.
Posted inEconomy, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Reverses Plans to Downsize Jail, After New Plan is Said to Save Money and Jobs
City Council members had voted in June to reduce staffing at their mostly-empty jail. But a new plan emerged to house additional U.S. Marshals inmates, which the acting police chief said would reduce the city’s budget deficits and save jail jobs.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana
Amid Funding Shortfall, Santa Ana Raises Median Police Compensation Above $213,000
The new contract raises the base salary for officers and sergeants by 5.6 percent to 10.6 percent, depending on seniority and work schedule. Supporters say it’s needed to keep compensation competitive, while opponents say Santa Ana can’t afford the increase.
Posted inSanta Ana, Water, Power & Waste
Is Santa Ana Illegally Overcharging for Trash Collection?
New concerns are being raised about whether the city has been illegally overcharging residents and businesses for trash collection and using the money for other services like police, firefighting, and parks.
Posted inEconomy, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana Confronts Big Budget Shortfalls That Could Last Years
If the deficits continue and the city has to draw from rainy day funds, it could be pushed to the brink of bankruptcy a few years from now. City officials say they’re working hard to find ways to save costs and grow revenues.
Posted inSanta Ana
Pulido Cancels Emergency City Council Meeting on Police Chief, Housing Projects
Mayor Miguel Pulido canceled the meeting Thursday morning, citing a lack of enough council members to hold it. The meeting had sparked claims of illegal vote-trading from one of his colleagues.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Mayor Calls Emergency Meeting on Police Chief Search and Housing Projects
Mayor Miguel Pulido called a special City Council meeting exactly 24 hours before it’s scheduled start time Thursday afternoon. His move sparked claims of wrongdoing by one of his colleagues.
