Correspondence - Item 1 - Closed Session

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El Sereno Communitg Land Trust January 20, 2026 Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Council City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: 1901 W. Walnut St. Land Acquisition Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, El Sereno Community Land Trust(ESCLT)is a nonprofit public benefit organization dedicated to acquiring and holding land in trust to protect it from speculation and displacement. This land supports safe, dignified, and permanently affordable housing, as well as community-serving commercial spaces and open areas. By advancing community stewardship and democratic governance, ESCLT empowers both tenant and general members to collectively shape how land is used, sustained, and shared—ensuring it remains accessible, equitable, and responsive to community needs. ESCLT views land stewardship as a holistic practice rooted in honoring the history, ecology, and original caretakers of this land. This includes efforts to restore and protect Indigenous plants, support local biodiversity, and uplift ancestral knowledge that teaches us to live in right relationship with the land. We are writing to express strong support for THRIVE Santa Ana's efforts to purchase and permanently own the property located at 1901 W. Walnut Street. In April 2025, THRIVE and the City of Santa Ana celebrated the grand opening of La Colmena,the City's first community land trust(CLT)project. Building on this milestone, THRIVE has now been awarded state funding to permanently acquire the site. We respectfully urge the City to help make this property the first CLT-owned asset in Santa Ana. Specifically,we ask that the City Council direct staff to prepare a purchase and sale agreement, along with the required Economic Subsidy Report,that would allow the City to accept THRIVE's offer of$852,000 for the property. This proposed sale would result in a highly positive fiscal and community impact for Santa Ana. The City would generate $852,000 in unrestricted revenue deposited directly into the General Fund. La Colmena has already demonstrated its value by transforming a long-vacant and blighted property into a vibrant community hub that enhances neighborhood safety, economic activity, and quality of life.