Item 25 - 2021 General Plan Annual Progress Report

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6  The City’s Historic Preservation Program continues to protect Santa Ana’s cultural and architectural resources. In 2021, eighteen applications for Mills Act agreements were submitted to the City for consideration, all of which were executed and recorded.  The October 2021 Draft General Plan Update Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) includes the preparation of a number of citywide technical reports and inventories related to Biological and Natural Resources, Historical and Cultural Resources, Archeological Resources, and Paleontological Existing Conditions (See Appendices D through G). https://www.santa-ana.org/general-plan/general-plan- environmental-documents These inventories assist in identifying resources and management of their conservation.  The City continues to promote landscaping and improvements that incorporate drought resistant and durable landscaping materials. The City provided free landscape workshops (webinars), which focus on Turf Removal and educate residents on California friendly native plants. In addition, through partnership with MWD, the City of Santa Ana provides rebates through the SoCal WaterSmart Program for water-saving programs. Public education of the City of Santa Ana’s Municipal Code and its Permanent Water Use Restrictions is also ongoing. City landscape guidelines, sample drought tolerant residential projects, and other resources to assist the pubic are available here: https://www.santa- ana.org/pb/planning-division/santa-ana-water-smart-landscapes  The City continues to monitor greenbelt and channel improvement plans for the Santa Ana River and Santiago Creek that aim to preserve natural vegetation. In 2020, despite COVID requirements to provide a 6 foot separation at gatherings, the City worked with volunteers to plant 15 trees in Santiago Park (adjacent the Santiago Creek). The volunteer organization (Stanbridge University) is committed to plant 100 trees in Santiago Park by next year. Also the California Conservation Corp obtained a grant to plant 60 trees in 4 Santa Ana park sites this year. The City continues to improve the landscaping in Santiago Park. This year new landscape improvements will be completed in Santiago Park between Valencia and the park restroom. Next year funding will be requested to install landscape and trail improvements from Main Street Entrance to the park restroom.  The City’s Public Works Agency continues to maintain compliance with regional National Pollutant Discharge Eliminations System (NPDES) regulations. The NPDES Program includes conducting inspections at commercial and industrial facilities, construction sites, and municipal facilities to verify implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), participating in public education and outreach activities, responding to pollutant spills and illegal discharges, maintaining the City stormwater drainage system, and requiring new and significant redevelopment projects to install stormwater treatment and infiltration systems.