Item 27 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana Amending Chapter 31 of the SAMC

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An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana Amending Chapter 31 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code May 5, 2026 Page 2 where specifically authorized by City Council. Over time, limited amendments to Chapter 31 have been adopted to allow alcohol at select facilities or events when appropriate controls are in place. Most recently, in September 2024, City Council approved Ordinance No. NS-3069, authorizing the sale and consumption of beer, wine, and distilled spirits at Eddie West Stadium during permitted events. That amendment was successfully implemented and has since demonstrated that alcohol service can be responsibly managed at City facilities when supported by clear permit conditions, interdepartmental review, and enforcement standards. Building on that experience, staff evaluated opportunities to expand alcohol service to additional facilities through a consistent, regulated framework. The proposed ordinance amendment provides the authority to allow permitted events to serve and consume beer, wine, and distilled spirits at City owned facilities, subject to the written approval of the City Manager or designee. Staff will return to City Council with a Rental Facility Use Policy with an accompanying Resolution for City Council consideration. The Policy would implement the authority granted by the proposed Ordinance by establishing standardized, department-wide procedures for facility reservations with alcohol that clearly define rules, fees, and accountability measures. The proposed Ordinance would provide residents with accessible and competitive event venue options that are in alignment with industry standards. The draft Rental Facility Use Policy for future City Council consideration was developed in coordination with the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency (PRCSA), City Attorney's Office, Santa Ana Police Department, and Risk Management Division to ensure compliance with state and local law, public safety requirements, and risk management best practices. Under the policy, alcohol would be permitted only through an approved reservation and subject to specific operational controls, including limits on service duration, designated service areas, age verification requirements, mandatory security staffing, insurance requirements, and compliance with Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations. Events involving alcohol sales would be required to obtain an appropriate ABC license and those involving food service would be subject to review by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). The policy would establish a single designated Responsible Party for each event who must be at least 21 years of age and be present for the duration of the event. The Responsible Party would be accountable for the conduct of all attendees, compliance with all policy requirements, and any damages or additional City costs incurred. Event reservations shall be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with standardized timelines, payment deadlines, and fee structures applied in accordance with the annually adopted City of Santa Ana fee schedule. This approach improves clarity for users, ensures a consistent and equitable process for no-cost requests, and enhances administrative efficiency for staff.