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GCAC GRAND CENTRAL ART CENTER SANTA ANA, CA December 14, 2020 City Manager, Council and Mayor City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Dear City of Santa Ana Staff and Elected Officials, RE: PLEASE SUPPORT DOWNTOWN SECURITY PROGRAM IN 2021 WE SUPPORT ITEM 20C, BUT WITH THE NORMAL, FULL FUNDING LEVEL FOR CLEAN AND SAFE OPERATIONS DOWNTOWN). We understand that due to the revenue shortfall, the City of Santa Ana is proposing to help downtown sustain its Downtown Clean Team operations which clean nearly 86 blocks of downtown on a daily basis. But the City is proposing not to cover the cost of the $100,000 annual Downtown Security Team and to let that contract lapse. With the impact of the current COVID/Economic crisis at the individual levels, we are experiencing an increase in safety/securi� situations in the Downtown, with recent incidents that have occurred along the 2" Street plaza this past weekend, and additional situations at the Broadway/Sycamore parking garage. While we deeply appreciate the efforts of the Downtown Clean Team program, we are appealing to you to one-time gap fund the Downtown Security program as well. The Downtown Security program continues to be a cornerstone of downtown's success. Security is vital as a service to businesses, residents, and those of visit, creating a positive experience. Please consider covering this year's gap in downtown's critical security services to keep our engine running and supporting our downtown businesses, residents, and visitors. Overall, the total impact of your decision here is another $100,000. Yet this is a critical cost -saving and protective investment considering the alternatives of increased vandalism and decreased safety perceptions and potential new realities in downtown. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration. My very best to you all, John D. Spiak Director/Chief Curator -A —1 125 N Broadway, Santa Ana 714.567.7233