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9 <br /> <br />allow for telecommute activities of employees, and furniture, equipment, and <br />supplies for expanded outdoor activities <br /> <br />5. Education Element <br />Educational services and facilities are principal contributors to a community’s quality <br />of life. Often the level and character of such services become key factors in the <br />locational decisions of families and businesses. This element was created as part of <br />the City of Santa Ana’s to address educational facilities and needs in support of the <br />motto Education First. <br /> In late 2021, the Santa Ana Unified School District/City Council Joint Policy <br />Committee transitioned from an as-needed basis, to establishing a regular monthly <br />meeting to review City and school district development and expansion plans to <br />maximize joint development and other school collaboration policies, where <br />feasible. The title of the committee changed to the School Col laboration City <br />Council Subcommittee to include representatives from different educational <br />institutions serving Santa Ana students. <br /> Although public libraries, museums, recreational centers, public parks and schools <br />closed for a portion of 2021, innovative programs launched through our library <br />system to complement the work of local schools. In-person young adult programs, <br />followed by a wide variety of virtual youth adult programming offered through the <br />remainder of the year. Curbside library pickup and drop off service enhancement <br />followed by expanded hotspot program offering 320 hotpots to library patrons. In <br />2021, following the award of State Proposition 68 grant funding, the State awarded <br />the City $5.2M in Proposition 68 funding to construct for the construction of two <br />new parks (Standard/McFadden an Raitt/Myrtle) on currently vacant land ; <br />community meetings began for conceptual design of Standard/McFadden Park, <br />and a ground breaking was held to kick off construction of Raitt & Myrtle Park. <br />Recreation and community centers have reopened on a limited basis following <br />closures due to COVID-19. Virtual and limited time programming has been <br />reintroduced to the public. <br /> The City’s 2021 community budget outreach process provided a vehicle to engage <br />stakeholders, including developers, to discuss and prioritize use of the City’s <br />General fund and other funding sources to help provide new facilities or enhance <br />existing facilities for additional cultural, recreational and educational services. <br /> In 2021, City Public Works Agency staff continued to coordinate with school <br />districts on the following actions: traffic safety educational program conducted at <br />the schools; completed Citywide Safe Routes to School Plan; <br />submitted Active Transportation Program grants; and worked with specific schools <br />to address circulation concerns. <br /> The City continues to partner with local school districts for shared use of school <br />facilities and park sites to address community parks, open space and recreational <br />need. <br />