CORRESPONDENCE - 75A - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orozco, Norma From: Victor Payan <vpayan@alumni.stanford.edu> Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2020 4:01 PM To: eComment; City Council; !City Clerk Subject: Fwd: Public Comment - Agenda Item 75A Attachments: 2011-2012GrandJuryReportDTl.pdf; Ryan Chase 2012 DTI Retaliation Email.pdf Hello, Mayor, City Council and City Manager, I am resending my comment (originally submitted 11/17/20) regarding my opposition to Downtown, Inc. receiving funding from the BID and requesting an Audit and Investigation of Downtown Inc/SABC to determine whether they are using City Resources and Money to benefit primarily their own board members, leadership and associates. As there are three new councilmembers, I wanted to make sure that this concern was brought fresh to this council meeting. In addition to my concerns regarding the Grand Jury report conclusions and recommendations noted in my original (see below, Grand Jury report attached), I would also like to add for your consideration an email from Ryan Chase we received in 2012 requesting his support for a Jewish/Latino cultural celebration in the downtown to address heightened tensions between the communities at that time. I was taken aback at his statement that "I am the President of Downtown Inc. and will not give money to a person or organization that personally attacks me, Downtown Inc., or anyone connected to it." This clearly indicated that a blacklist of community organizations who did not agree with Downtown, Inc., or worse, had publicly voiced their opposition was in effect. While this email exchange took place in 2012, it is easy to see how this would set the tone and policy for opportunities and support of activities in the Downtown that has vreated a constant barrier to access, participation and diversity of visions that excludes and disadvantages Santa Ana residents, organizations and businesspeople. As such, I request that funding not be allocated to Downtown, Inc until an audit and investigation be conducted regarding the following issues: 1. Unethical and Unfair business practices 2. Conflict of Interest 3. Retaliation against Santa Ana residents, community leaders and organizations that speak out against Downtown, Inc. 4. Monopolization of public funding and resources for private gain 5. Who receives DTI support and who does not, and what is the process for funding 6. Irnproper relationship between Downtown, Inc. and the SABC Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any question. Sincerely, - Victor Payan Ryan Chase <rchaseusckgmail.com>