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Orozco, Norma <br /> From: Jake Comer <jakecomer@yahoo.com> <br /> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 5:00 PM <br /> To: !City Clerk; Ridge, Kristine <br /> Subject: Public Hearing Item 16: Funding Environmental Justice Commitments <br /> Categories: FYI <br /> Dear Honorable Mayor Sarmiento and Council Members, Thank you for putting more than 50 environmental justice and <br /> related equity policies in Santa Ana's general plan—creating a path to a healthier,just, and more sustainable Santa Ana. <br /> Unfortunately, none of these goals can be met without people to do the work of implementing them. That's why item 3.9 of <br /> the community element implementation plan calls for hiring an environmental justice staffer this year. How can this get <br /> done if this position is not included in the budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year?We can not wait another year to begin to <br /> bring environmental justice to Santa Ana. Over 24 census tracts in Santa Ana are among the most polluted in all of <br /> California according to CaIEPA's CalEnviroScreen. Communities with the most pollution burden are also home to our <br /> most vulnerable neighbors—people who already have health issues and are experiencing poverty. You have the power to <br /> correct these injustices, and follow through on commitments in the General Plan to address environmental justice for all <br /> residents by ensuring this position is added ASAP. This can be done by adding funding for the position into the budget, or <br /> making applying for environmental justice grants to fund this position a primary role of the new administrative secretary. <br /> Please be the bold climate and environmental justice leaders we need by prioritizing the funding of an environmental <br /> justice staffer in Santa Ana. Thank you. <br /> 23 <br />