HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - CS Item 4
Flores, Dora
From:Ryan Murillo <Ryan.Murillo@seiu721.org>
Sent:Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:03 PM
To:eComment
Cc:Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil;
Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David; Nancy Robles SEIU 721 Santa Ana President;
Navarro, Jorge; ANTONIO CARRILLO
Subject:SEIU 721 - Public Comment
Attachments:SEIU - Public Comment 7.15.25.pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Hello,
Please see attached letter for public comment tonight.
In Unity,
Ryan Murillo
Worksite Organizer, LA/OC Ci?es Team
SEIU Local 721
Cell: 213/321-3776
Email: ryan.murillo@seiu721.org
SEIU Local 721 Member Connec?on:
877-721-4968
1
Via Email
July 15, 2025
SERVICE EMPLOYEES
INTERNATIONAL UNION, CTW, CLC
Office of the City Clerk
Attn: Mayor Valerie Amezcua and City Council Members
OFFICERS
David Green
20 Civic Center Plaza, M-30
PRESIDENT &
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Simboa Wright
VICE PRESIDENT
Lillian Cabral
Subject: SEIU 721 Santa Ana Chapter Collaboration Efforts
SECRETARY
Adolfo Granados
TREASURER
Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the City Council,
DIRECTORS
LA COUNTY
Ileana Meza
I am writing to submit this letter as a written public comment for the City
VICE PRESIDENT
Jerry Clyde, Jr.
Council's consideration, particularly in connection with ongoing discussions
VICE PRESIDENT
on city operations, workforce stability, and community priorities. As the
Sandra Beltran
Lydia Cabral.
president of SEIU Local 721’s Santa Ana Chapter, I represent the largest
Cynthia Carreon
Kelley Dixon-Turner
workforce of dedicated city workers who serve this community every day,
Ruby Dye
Markeitha Harris
delivering essential services that make Santa Ana strong—from maintaining
Omar Perez
Jose Sanchez
our parks and streets to ensuring public safety and health.
Grace Santillano
Theresa Velasco
Sharonda Wade
Cythia White
Kelly Zhou
As we continue our contract discussions with city management—building on
LA/OC CITIES
the recent extension of our part-time MOU and the formation of our bargaining
Jose “Joe” Martinez
VICE PRESIDENT
team earlier this year—I want to express our deep appreciation for your efforts
Saundra Dixon
VICE PRESIDENT
to support working families during challenging times. Our city is facing serious
Sylvia Alvarado
pressures—economic, social, and staffing-related—and we recognize the
Dion Cornelius
Chermaine Fontenette
Bruce Hicks
leadership this Council has shown in prioritizing equity, safety, and
Eric Noreen
Theodore Sanchez
community wellbeing.
Victor M. Vasquez
TRI-COUNTIES
Ariana Robledo I’d like to focus on four areas where we can continue working together to
VICE PRESIDENT
Grace Sepulveda
strengthen Santa Ana:
VICE PRESIDENT
Esperanza Barajas
Mary Birch
First, supporting stable jobs and a resilient workforce. Many of our city’s
Sandra Diaz
Yuri Gomez
workers and residents face uncertainty, which impacts job stability and
Amy Sagar
Maria Zavala
productivity. In sectors across our City, staffing shortages—exacerbated by
INLAND AREA
countywide hiring freezes and a projected $30 million budget deficit in the
Christopher Jones
VICE PRESIDENT
coming years—have led to slower response times, such as the recent delays
Meghan Boyd
VICE PRESIDENT
in trash and recycling collection, and stalled projects. By expanding
Oracio Diaz
protections and resources for all city workers—including time for legal
Catalina Guitron
Barbara Hunter
Roger Nuñez
matters related to immigration challenges and access to supportive
Staci Richards
Maria Sneed
services—we can maintain a reliable workforce that ensures continuity in vital
Tara Stoddart
services.
BOARD RETIREE
Myran Cotton
http://www.seiu721.org
Member Connection (877) 721-4968
Second, safeguarding funding for essential services. Your steadfast
commitment to Santa Ana’s inclusive values has helped preserve critical state
and federal funding, including the $41.7 million allocated through the FY 2025-
2029 Consolidated Plan for housing, infrastructure, and public health grants.
Programs like the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP)
grants depend on us showing that we serve everyone equitably. By continuing
to lead with compassion and clarity—especially amid federal actions like
recent ICE raids that have disrupted families and local economies—we
protect the financial lifelines that keep our schools, roads, and programs
strong.
Third, ensuring Santa Ana remains a place where families and businesses
thrive. Compared to other cities, Santa Ana stands out as a welcoming and
vibrant place for workers and employers alike. To stay competitive and attract
long-term investment amid rising costs and social stressors, we should
continue to expand local support systems—such as the new $100,000
emergency fund for families impacted by raids and broader community
assistance programs—that help working families stay rooted and productive.
Fourth, maintaining high-quality city services. Our members take pride in
being the backbone of Santa Ana’s daily operations, but when economic and
social stressors—like school district layoffs and immigration fears—affect our
workforce, the impact is felt citywide. We must work together to address
vacancies, support affected families, and invest in long-term staffing
strategies so every resident receives the service and care they deserve.
SEIU 721 is proud to stand with this Council and the people of Santa Ana.
We’re ready to partner with you on community outreach, support efforts to
secure additional state funding through initiatives like the Orange County
Legislative Platform, and collaborate on budget priorities that ensure no
resident is left behind.
Together, we can continue building a Santa Ana that is resilient, inclusive, and
prepared for the future.
Thank you for your time and continued dedication to our city. Please include
this letter in the public record for the next available City Council meeting.
Sincerely,
Nancy Robles
President, SEIU Local 721 Santa Ana Chapter
Cc: Santa Chapter Board