HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Item 10Becerra, Alexis
From:
MIKE SETO <
Sent:
Friday, September 26, 2025 10:11 AM
To:
rentstabilization@santa-ana.org
Cc:
eComment
Subject:
Concern Regarding Rent Control Exemption Requirement
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division,
We are landlords operating in the City of Santa Ana, and we have consistently fulfilled our obligations
by paying property taxes and rental business license fees every year. However, we are concerned
about the additional requirement to submit a Rent Control Exemption form annually.
We would like to understand why Santa Ana imposes this extra administrative step when other cities
in Orange County do not. It feels burdensome and unnecessary, especially for properties that clearly
qualify for exemption under the ordinance. Is there a reason this process cannot be streamlined or
automatically recognized based on existing records?
We respectfully urge the City to reconsider this requirement or provide clearer justification for its
necessity. We also hope more property owners will voice their concerns so that a fair and balanced
approach can be achieved.
Could you please confirm receipt of this message and advise if any changes to the exemption
process are being considered?
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Michael Seetao
Becerra, Alexis
From: Nathaniel Greensides <
Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 11:20 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Oct 7 2025 item 10
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear City Council,
Having been involved with various local rent control campaigns since 2018, 1 write in support of the item.
The passage of Measure CC in 2024 was a monumental moment for our city, with 43,134 residents voting to establish
permanent rent stabilization and just -cause protections. This rental registry is a vital tool for carrying out the will of
those voters and ensuring the law is administered and enforced effectively.
I would like to address some of the points of opposition:
A rental registry makes administration and enforcement of these rights and protections for our residents easier. There
has been misinformation circulating that the rental registry would be funded by general funds. I want to clarify that the
registry is designed to be self-sufficient, funded entirely by a fee assessed on the rental units subject to the
ordinance. The opposition to this item appears to be heavily influenced by a specific private online Facebook group
controlled by a current city commissioner. This raises concerns, particularly since this group has been known to censor
the voices of current Santa Ana residents and includes a large number of non-residents. This makes the opposition's
claims less representative of our community and more about an agenda that doesn't reflect the needs of Santa Ana's
tenants and landlords.
The one opposing ecomment submitted thus far to the item complains about requiring exemption forms and I think it is
unfounded. The exemption forms are a standard and necessary administrative step that ultimately benefits landlords by
clarifying which units are exempt from fees and regulations. This is similar to our city's business licensing, where
submitting documentation can reduce fees and ensure regulatory compliance.
Finally, the software vendor being considered seems to have extensive experience in this area. Not only will their
solution streamline administration for city staff, but it will also ensure that fee collection and communication with
tenants and landlords are convenient and compliant with our local laws. Here is the webpage that shows some of the
features that might apply to our local rental registry if you all vote in favor of the item: https://www.tolemi.com/rental-
registration.
I ask that you vote in favor of this item. To do otherwise would be to go against the clear will of the voters who passed
Measure CC.
Sincerely,
Nathaniel Greensides
Ward 5 Resident
Becerra, Alexis
From: Dale Helvig <
Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 11:29 AM
To: Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil;
Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David; eComment
Cc: Nunez, Alvaro; Carvalho, Sonia R.; Vazquez, Sylvia; Thai, Minh
Subject: 2025-10-07 Letter to City Council -Item 10 and Other Items
Attachments: 2025-10-07 Letter to City Council -Item 10.pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706
October 7, 2025
Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Councilmembers
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, 8t" Floor
Santa Ana CA 92702
Subject: ITEM 10 — RSO Registry and Other Items
1. Item 10 is to create a Rental Registry Portal to Enforce the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction
Ordinance at a cost of not to exceed $580,000 for a three-year term, with a potential I two one-year
extension; seems high priced. Hopefully, you address what percentage this represents of the total intake
of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
It my understanding that $2500 was donated to an event in Anaheim using the $10K discretionary funds of
a councilmember who is running for a county office that includes Anaheim. This money could have gone
to support residents affected by the immigration issues or housing subsistence. It appears to be more of a
political action than anything else. I would like to see tighter controls on disbursement of these
funds. Why isn't this money restricted to events with the city limits?
3. 1 have heard on many occasions the financial woes the City will be facing in the near future. So, what is
being done to obtain over $400, 000 resulting from a legal order with ex-councilmember Roman Reyna?
Respectfully,
Dale A Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana
cc: Alvaro Nunez,
City Manager, Santa Ana
Sonia Carvalho,
City Attorney, Santa Ana
Sylvia Vazquez,
Deputy City Manager, Santa Ana
Minh Thai,
Deputy City Manager, Santa Ana
Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706
October 7, 2025
Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Councilmembers
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, 81" Floor
Santa Ana CA 92702
Subject: ITEM 10 — RSO Registry and Other Items
Item 10 is to create a Rental Registry Portal to Enforce the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause
Eviction Ordinance at a cost of not to exceed $580,000 for a three-year term, with a potential I
two one-year extension; seems high priced. Hopefully, you address what percentage this
represents of the total intake of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
2. It my understanding that $2500 was donated to an event in Anaheim using the $10K discretionary
funds of a councilmember who is running for a county office that includes Anaheim. This money
could have gone to support residents affected by the immigration issues or housing subsistence.
It appears to be more of a political action than anything else. I would like to see tighter controls
on disbursement of these funds. Why isn't this money restricted to events with the city limits?
3. 1 have heard on many occasions the financial woes the City will be facing in the near future. So,
what is being done to obtain over $400, 000 resulting from a legal order with ex -council member
Roman Reyna?
Respectfully,
Dale A Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana
cc: Alvaro Nunez,
City Manager, Santa Ana
Sonia Carvalho,
City Attorney, Santa Ana
Sylvia Vazquez,
Deputy City Manager, Santa Ana
Minh Thai,
Deputy City Manager, Santa Ana
Page 1 of 1
2025-10-07 Letter to City Council -Item 10
Becerra, Alexis
From:
Maria Ceja <
Sent:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 1:00 PM
To:
eComment
Subject:
Item 10
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear City Council,
I have been involved in local rent control efforts since 2018 and am writing to you today to express my support for item
10.
In 2024, the majority of voters further established rent stabilization and just cause protections. Establishing and
maintaining a rental registry is key to implementing the administrative side of these protections.
As someone who has advocated for these protections and knows firsthand how this protects Santa Ana's most
vulnerable renters, I ask that you please vote in favor of this item. Thank you.
Best,
Maria Ceja
Zuniga, Diana
From:
David Carbajal <
Sent:
Tuesday, October 07, 2025 1:18 PM
To:
eComment
Subject:
Item 10 - Council Meeting 10/7/25
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Council,
I strongly support item 10.
Measure CC's passage in last year was a huge step forward for our city —over 43,000
residents voted to create permanent rent stabilization and just -cause protections. The
proposed rental registry is essential to carrying out that mandate and making sure the law
is implemented and enforced properly.
I'd like to clear up a common misconception: the registry will not use general funds —it's
designed to be self-sufficient, funded entirely by a small fee on rental units covered by
the ordinance.
One public comment submitted objected to requiring exemption forms, but these are a
normal and simple administrative step that helps everyone —especially landlords —by
clarifying which units are exempt, much like business licensing paperwork.
Lastly, the software vendor being considered has a solid track record with similar
registries. Their platform would make it easy for city staff, tenants, and landlords to
communicate, pay fees, and stay compliant. You can see examples of their work here-
hLtps://www.tolemi.com/rental-registration.
Please vote to approve this item. Doing so honors the will of the voters and ensures
Measure CC is implemented effectively.
Thank you,
David Carbaj al,
Ward 6
Flores, Dora
From: Mextli Lopez <
Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 2:52 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Hernandez, Johnathan; Phan, Thai
Subject: Support for Rental Registry Portal Contract to Strengthen Rent Stabilization in Santa
Ana
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear City Council Members,
My name is Mextli Lopez, I am writing to express my strong support for agenda item io proposing the
approval of a contract with Opportunity Space to implement a rental registry portal. This tool is
essential to ensure the effective operation of the rent stabilization law, which was approved by a
majority of Santa Ana voters last year.
A rental registry portal is a standard and proven practice in many California cities with rent control
ordinances. It will greatly aid in enforcing the law by providing an organized, accessible system to
track all rental properties covered by the ordinance. As landlords register their units, the city will
generate revenue through a modest rental registry fee —keeping the program cost -neutral for the city.
Specifically, landlords pay an annual $too fee per rental unit covered by the ordinance. They may
pass 50% of this fee ($50) onto tenants in monthly installments of approximately $4.17. This fee is
charged per unit, not per tenant, ensuring fairness regardless of household size. Contrary to some
misinformation, this contract would not be funded by the city's general fund.
The proposed contract with Opportunity Space totals $58o,000 over three years —approximately
$193,000 annually. Given the significant benefits this portal will provide for thousands of
Santa Ana residents, especially retired seniors, school -aged children, and young
families, this is a reasonable and necessary investment.
I would also like to remind the Council that just last year in October of 2024, a settlement payout of
$600,000 was approved for a former city manager —an amount exceeding the cost of this vital portal.
The same city council members who will sit on the dais tonight and consider agenda item io—voted
by majority to pay out a settlement to a former city manager pay out a settlement to a former city
manager "after she alleged elected officials pressured her to boost the pay and pension of former
police union president Gerry Serrano". I hope that Mayor Valeria Amezcua, and councilmembers Phil
Bacerra and David Penaloza will recall their respective voting records on items costing the city over
$50o,000 and that they will be consistent in their evaluation of the proposal before them this
evening. While some may oppose this item due to its cost, I urge you to consider that ensuring stable,
affordable housing is critical to the wellbeing of our community, particularly for vulnerable
populations.
For those concerned about supporting youth and families, I encourage you to speak with local
students and families who directly benefit from the rent stabilization ordinance. Without it, many
would face displacement and increased hardship.
Thank you for considering my support for this agenda item. Approving the rental registry portal
contract is a key step toward protecting Santa Ana's renters who make up the majority of residents
and strengthening our community's stability.
Sincerely,
Mextli Lopez
(Ward 5 resident)
Flores, Dora
From: Gema Suarez <
Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 2:54 PM
To: eComment
Subject: SUPPORT item #10, Agreement with Opportunity Space Inc. dba Tolemi for a Rental
Registry Portal
Attachments: SUPPORT #10, Agreement with Opportunity Space Inc. dba Tolemi for a Rental
Registry Portal.pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear City Council,
My name is Gema Suarez I would like to express my support for Agenda item #10, Agreement with
Opportunity Space Inc. dba Tolemi for a Rental Registry Portal to Enforce the Rent Stabilization and
Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (Spec. 25-073) (Non -General Fund). I am a renter and a renter rights
advocate who has worked in Santa Ana in Ward 2 with El Centro Cultural de Mexico for over a decade.
I believe in development without displacement. For this reason I have been involved in the efforts to win
a policy that alleviates a bit of the rent burden that our communities face. I am aware that for rent control to be
at its full effectiveness, it must include a fully functional rent registry system. Like any project, there has to be
some investment of skilled people to execute the plan that will create a long term cost effective program that
will benefit everyone.
Please vote in favor of this item.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gema Suarez
Dear City Council,
My name is Gema Suarez I would like to express my support for Agenda item #10,
Agreement with Opportunity Space Inc. dba Tolemi for a Rental Registry Portal to Enforce
the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (Spec. 25-073) (Non -General
Fund). I am a renter and a renter rights advocate who has worked in Santa Ana in Ward 2 with
El Centro Cultural de Mexico for over a decade.
I believe in development without displacement. For this reason I have been involved in
the efforts to win a policy that alleviates a bit of the rent burden that our communities face. I am
aware that for rent control to be at its full effectiveness, it must include a fully functional rent
registry system. Like any project, there has to be some investment of skilled people to execute
the plan that will create a long term cost effective program that will benefit everyone.
Please vote in favor of this item.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gema Suarez