HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-002 - Identifying Stakeholders in the Preservation of the Japanese Tea House & GardenRESOLUTION NO. 2025-002
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA ANA IDENTIFYING THE JAPANESE
AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE SOUTHEAST LOS
ANGELES, NORTH ORANGE COUNTY / ORANGE
COUNTY CHAPTER AS A COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER
IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY
JAPANESE TEA HOUSE AND GARDEN
WHEREAS, on July 2, 1969, the County of Orange entered into an agreement
("Original Agreement") with the Orange County ("County") Japanese American
Community Service, Inc., ("JACS") a California non-profit corporation, where in the
County set aside a certain parcel of land within the Civic Center for the construction of a
Japanese Garden ("The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Agreement JACS agreed to build and did
build The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House in 1970 with donations
from over 625 Orange County Japanese families and businesses totaling $50,000 and
given as a gift to the County; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House was the first
Japanese American memorial in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the County accepted The Orange County Japanese Garden and
Tea House and agreed to maintain it as a Japanese garden and tea house; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House serves
multiple purposes: it is a lasting reminder of the incarceration of persons of Japanese
ancestry during World War II; it represents Japanese Americans' appreciation to those
who welcomed them back home to Orange County after the war; it shares Japanese
cultural heritage with the public in the form of a tranquil garden setting for visitors to the
Santa Ana Civic Center to enjoy; the location can be viewed from the new County
Administration North Building and Santa Ana City Hall where both City and County
employees can enjoy the garden; and, it reflects the rich history of the Japanese
pioneers in the City of Santa Ana and their contribution; and
WHEREAS, The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House's builders
included an eighty -year -old Japanese pine, which is now 135 years old; and
WHEREAS, on The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House's 100t"
anniversary in 2070, the time capsule at the garden will be opened on November 15,
2070; and
Resolution No. 2025-002
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WHEREAS, on April 26, 2023, the County quitclaimed land to the City of Santa
Ana ("City") that includes The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2023, the County assigned its rights and delegated its
obligations under the Original Agreement to City, and City accepted the assignment of
the Original Agreement and assumed all of County's obligations under and related to
the Original Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana ("City") will now be the custodian of this
precious piece of Japanese American history; and
WHEREAS, on November 29, 2023, the City was notified by a letter, dated
November 29, 2023, from the Japanese American Citizens League ("JACL") Southeast
Los Angeles, North Orange County / Orange County ("SELANOCO") Chapter that JACL
SELANOCO / Orange County will assume the handling of inquiries that may arise
pertaining to The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House; and
WHEREAS, the City would like to formally recognize the JACL SELANOCO /
Orange County as a community stakeholder to assist the City with inquiries that may
arise pertaining to the maintenance of The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea
House.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana as follows:
Section 1. The City of Santa Ana hereby recognizes JACL SELANOCO /
Orange County as a community stakeholder of The Orange County Japanese Garden
and Tea House.
Section 2. The Orange County Japanese Community, under the supervision of
JACL SELANOCO / Orange County, will be able to hold events a minimum of four (4)
days per calendar year at The Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House free of
charge. Any additional events would be at the discretion of the City Manager.
Section 3. The City will maintain The Orange County Japanese Garden and
Tea House as a Japanese garden and tea house. Where such maintenance requires
the advice or services of persons familiar with and competent in the maintenance of
Japanese gardens and tea houses, City will consult with JACL SELANOCO / Orange
County and JACL SELANOCO / Orange County will cooperate in recommending such
persons. There shall be no change in the existing design of The Orange County
Japanese Garden and Tea House without the prior consultation with JACL SELANOCO
/ Orange County.
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Section 4. In the event that it becomes necessary to redesign or relocate The
Orange County Japanese Garden and Tea House, due to redevelopment or for any
other reason, prior to such redesign or relocation, City staff shall notify City Council
immediately at the outset of any such plans to redesign or relocate and City will consult
with JACL SELANOCO I Orange County and JACL SELANOCO 1 Orange County will
cooperate in providing recommendations for such relocation.
Section_ 5. A copy of this Resolution will be attached to The Orange County
Japanese Garden and Teahouse property title which was signed in 2023 where the
County transferred the garden to the City with the original 1969 County Agreement
attached. With the new information included with this Resolution, the 55-year-old
history of the origins of the garden and its representation will be clarified for perpetuity.
Section 6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this
Resolution.
ADOPTED this 215t day of January, 2025.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By: :6atierra
Bra` don Sal
Deputy City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
ABSENT: Councilmembers
e HmTzcpa
Amezcua Bacerra Hernandez Lo ez
Penaloza, Phan, Vazquez (7)
None 0
None (0)
None (0)
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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, JENNIFER L. HALL, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2025-002 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on January 21, 2025.
Resolution No. 2025-002
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