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Home My WebLink AboutCorrespondence - Item 19 Becerra, Alexis From: Sent: Friday, July 17, 2026 2:12 AM To: eComment Subject: Vote NO - Santa Ana Re-entry Center on 3030 Hesperian Way Attention:This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Santa Ana City Council Members and Honorable Mayor Amezcua, As a resident in Santa Ana, and school board member in SAUSD, I would like to request the City Council to please vote NO on the Reentry Center on 3030 Hesperian Way. Not because I am against rehabilitation of exiting prisoners, but because our Santa Ana representatives were never notified about this decision. Our community at large in Santa Ana,was never offered an opportunity to provide input to be part of the process and be informed. This is disturbing. I live only 1 mile away from where the center was voted to go. We have been dealing with homeless issues at the Santa Ana river bed and my elder father was robbed at gunpoint when walking in his North Santa Ana neighborhood. We believe in rehabilitation, but we also know there are risks and high rates of recidivism, of which our community would be absorbing a greater number of people with criminal records without monetary compensation to increase law enforcement for the sake of overall public safety. Thank you for listening to our community's concerns. Brenda Lebsack (speaking on behalf of myself) i Becerra, Alexis From: T. Frias <sandpointeneighborhood@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 3:52 PM To: eComment Subject: Item #19 Attachments: July 20th, 2026 Reentry Center letter to City Council.docx Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Attn. Item#19 Agenda for the City Council Meeting Thank-you! i July 201" 2026 Dear City Council Members, I am writing on behalf of the Sandpointe Neighborhood Association. The Sandpointe Board of Directors and concerned residents oppose the proposed location of the Coordinated Reentry Center in Santa Ana. Our concern is not with the purpose of the Reentry Center itself, but with the suitability of this particular site. The proposed location is too close to residential neighborhoods, an intermediate school, and local businesses, which raises serious concerns about compatibility with the surrounding community. With recidivism rates being so high we believe that this facility in its proximity to families and children poses a huge threat and the risk is much too high. We respectfully ask that you consider an alternative location that is better suited for this type of facility and less directly adjacent to homes, schools, and neighborhood-serving businesses. Given Santa Ana's density and the character of the surrounding area, we believe another site in another city would be more appropriate. We urge you to take these community concerns into account when discussing or casting any votes. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Tammy Frias, President Sandpointe Neighborhood Association Becerra, Alexis From: Christina Dorsa-Smith < Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 6:51 PM To: eComment Subject: Proposed Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center Attachments: Orange County ReEntry Program Final Opposition Letter June 18, 2026.docx Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. I would first like to thank Mayor Amezcua for bringing this issue to the attention of the Neighborhood Leaders and arranging the meeting on June 18th, which included Supervisor Sarmiento,the City Manager, Chief of Police,two Council members and others. I plan to attend the City Council meeting on July 21st and am anxious to learn more about the status of the program and efforts to have the project stopped or moved to a more suitable location. I fully support the opposition that has been expressed by the 23 Neighborhood Presidents (letter attached), the City Manager and Mayor and am happy to help in these efforts in any way I can. The email I sent to the Orange County Board of Supervisors is included below for your reference. I look forward to hearing from you regarding any assistance I can provide. Christina M. Dorsa-Smith Clerk of the Board of Supervisors,The Honorable Doug Chaffee, Chair,The Honorable Katrina Foley,Vice Chair,The Honorable Vicente Sarmiento,The Honorable Janet Nguyen, and The Honorable Donald P.Wagner, As a long time resident of Santa Ana and President of the Morrison Park Neighborhood Association, I was very disappointed to learn of the proposed Coordinated Reentry Center planned at 3030 Hesperian Way in the City of Santa Ana. The residents of the City, including the Mayor and City Manager had no advanced notice of the plans for the reentry center. It is even more disturbing to learn that the project has been in the works for many years with project approval in 2019.. Although I agree that programs like the proposed offer many benefits, a better location for this center is needed. Santa Ana already has two shelters,works with OC Care to provide mobile medical care to the unhoused, has sober living facilities and a dedicated Quality of Life Team in addition to other services. As you know, Santa Ana also has the Federal Courthouse and Jail which bring additional challenges to the City. The concern about the impact this facility will have on our City services is valid. as well as the safety of our neighborhoods. The City of Santa Ana has done more than its share and should not be expected to take on more when other Cities have not participated to the same extent. i I strongly request that the funding on this project be cancelled or at minimum, delayed and that alternative locations be identified. Respectfully, Christina M. Dorsa-Smith 2 June 18, 2026 The Honorable Doug Chaffee, Chair The Honorable Katrina Foley, Vice Chair The Honorable Vicente Sarmiento The Honorable Janet Nguyen The Honorable Donald P. Wagner 400 W. Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 92701 Subject: Opposition to Coordinated Reentry Center: Item S94W-Final Budget Resolution Dear Supervisors: As presidents of over 20 Neighborhood Associations in the City of Santa Ana, we oppose the Coordinated Reentry Center planned at 3030 Hesperian Way in the City of Santa Ana. The facility is being proposed in close proximity of neighborhoods, businesses and schools. Our associations work very diligently to maintain the best quality of life through direct involvement with our neighbors and our city leadership and staff. We spend our personal time attending meetings and staying informed of all projects that affect our neighborhoods. We are proud and grateful for all the work that we collectively complete through monthly meetings with our Mayor Valerie Amezcua and holding regular neighborhood meetings where our city and county staff attend to inform us of projects. Unfortunately, with respect to the Reentry Center, we were not notified or provided any information about this project. The location is only 1 mile away from most of our neighborhoods and the plan to operate the facility on a 24/7 schedule is unacceptable. There are also 2 businesses located next to the facility who were also never notified about the project and they are very concerned. In addition, a Sherwin Williams store is also located on the same street. All three businesses shared about the homeless problem they already have to experience and would have issues with a 24/7 operation next door. We, therefore ask that the Board of Supervisors oppose this project in the City of Santa Ana and reconsider the location and purpose. Sincerely, Jeffrey Katz, Floral Park Neighborhood Association Christina Dorsa-Smith, Morrison Park Neighborhood Association Jami Cortez, West Floral Park Neighborhood Association Martha Molina, Riverview Neighborhood Association Joanna Peterson, Casa de Santiago Neighborhood Association Marnie Schnapel and Dale Helvig, Park Santiago Neighborhood Association Kayden Muzila, Riverview Glen Neighborhood Association Randy Musser, Fisher Park Neighborhood Association Mary Lou Branch, Young Square Neighborhood Association Desi Reyes, Saddleback View Neighborhood Tracy Simons, Washington Square Neighborhood Association Carl Benninger, Metro Classic Neighborhood Association Javier Enriquez, Bristol Warner Neighborhood Association Shellee Smith, Edna Park Neighborhood Association Judy Bryant, Morning Sunwood Neighborhood Association Katherine Freeman, Republic Homes South Metro Neighborhood Association Winston R. Covington, Meredith/Parkwood Neighborhood Association Claudio Bornancini, Flower Park Neighborhood Association Katre Kruus, Santa Ana Triangle Neighborhood Association Pete Lockwood, South Coast Neighborhood Association Irma P. Jauregui, Wilshire Square Neighborhood Association Jose J. Rea, Madison Park Neighborhood Association Victor Mendez, Zoo District Neighborhood Association Becerra, Alexis From: Zach Shapiro < Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 8:48 PM To: eComment Subject: Agenda item #19 - Reentry center. Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Hello, I am a resident of Santa Ana along with my daughter and parents. I am strongly opposed to this proposed reentry program being developed in Santa Ana. I support rehabilitation and support building such a program. However, Santa Ana already has a significant concentration of these types of services which already places a signicant burden on our city services and community. It is clear,that if this goes through, an organized effort will have to be made to bring attention to the public of the representatives on the OC board and elsewhere(including Doug Chaffee and others)who are not opposing this so that they can be held accountable through legal means in our democratic process. 1 Becerra, Alexis From: Dale Helvig < Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 10:48 AM To: eComment; Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David Cc: Nunez, Alvaro; Carvalho, Sonia R.; Thai, Minh; Vazquez, Sylvia; Hall, Jennifer Subject: 2026-07-21 Letter to City Council - Item 19 Attachments: 2026-07-21 Letter to City Council - Item 19.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. See attached document. Dale Helvig Resident, Santa Ana 1 Dale Helvig Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706 July 21, 2026 Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Councilmembers City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, 81' Floor Santa Ana CA 92702 Subject: Items 19, Resolution formally opposing the proposed Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center I support the resolution formally opposing the proposed Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center at the former Youth Guidance Center site located in the City of Santa Ana. There are 33 other cities that can step up and do their part. It's time Supervisor Sarmiento to take the lead and support Santa Ana's opposition to the prospect of placing the reentry center in Santa Ana. NO TO LOCATING THE REENTRY CENTER IN SANTA ANA Respectfully, Dale A Helvig Resident, Santa Ana cc: Alvaro Nunez, Minh Thai, City Manager, Santa Ana Deputy City Manager, Santa Ana Sonia Carvalho, Sylvia Vazquez, City Attorney, Santa Ana Deputy City Manager, Santa Ana Page 1 of 1 2026-07-21 Letter to City Council-Item 19 Becerra, Alexis From: Marthamolinaaviles < Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 11:38 AM To: eComment Cc: Riverview Subject: Support Item #19 Attachments: Neighborhood Associations Opposition Letter to Coordinated Reentry Center.docx Attention:This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Honorable Mayor Valerie Amezcua and Councilmembers, Attached please find an opposition letter from 23 Neighborhood Associations submitted to County Supervisors at their last meeting in June.We oppose the construction and operation of the Coordinated Reentry Center proposed at 3030 Hesperian Way in the City of Santa Ana. Thank you for this item which supports our opposition to this facility,given the lack of notification to all of our neighborhood associations. Respectfully, Martha Molina President, Riverview Neighborhood Association ( 1 June 18, 2026 The Honorable Doug Chaffee, Chair The Honorable Katrina Foley, Vice Chair The Honorable Vicente Sarmiento The Honorable Janet Nguyen The Honorable Donald P. Wagner 400 W. Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 92701 Subject: Opposition to Coordinated Reentry Center: Item S94W-Final Budget Resolution Dear Supervisors: As presidents of over 20 Neighborhood Associations in the City of Santa Ana, we oppose the Coordinated Reentry Center planned at 3030 Hesperian Way in the City of Santa Ana. The facility is being proposed in close proximity to neighborhoods, businesses and schools. Our associations work very diligently to maintain the best quality of life through direct involvement with our neighbors and our city leadership and staff. We spend our personal time attending meetings and staying informed of all projects that affect our neighborhoods. We are proud and grateful for all the work that we collectively complete through monthly meetings with our Mayor Valerie Amezcua and holding regular neighborhood meetings where our city and county staff attend to inform us of projects. Unfortunately, with respect to the Reentry Center, we were not notified or provided any information about this project. The location is only 1 mile away from most of our neighborhoods and the plan to operate the facility on a 24/7 schedule is unacceptable. There are also 2 businesses located next to the facility who were also never notified about the project and they are very concerned. In addition, a Sherwin Williams store is also located on the same street. All three businesses shared about the homeless problem they already have to experience and would have issues with a 24/7 operation next door. We, therefore, ask that the Board of Supervisors oppose this project in the City of Santa Ana and reconsider the location and purpose. Sincerely, Jeffrey Katz, Floral Park Neighborhood Association Christina Dorsa-Smith, Morrison Park Neighborhood Association Jami Cortez, West Floral Park Neighborhood Association Martha Molina, Riverview Neighborhood Association Joanna Peterson, Casa de Santiago Neighborhood Association Marnie Schnapel and Dale Helvig, Park Santiago Neighborhood Association Kayden Muzila, Riverview Glen Neighborhood Association Randy Musser, Fisher Park Neighborhood Association Mary Lou Branch, Young Square Neighborhood Association Desi Reyes, Saddleback View Neighborhood Tracy Simons, Washington Square Neighborhood Association Carl Benninger, Metro Classic Neighborhood Association Javier Enriquez, Bristol Warner Neighborhood Association Shellee Smith, Edna Park Neighborhood Association Judy Bryant, Morning Sunwood Neighborhood Association Katherine Freeman, Republic Homes South Metro Neighborhood Association Winston R. Covington, Meredith/Parkwood Neighborhood Association Claudio Bornancini, Flower Park Neighborhood Association Katre Kruus, Santa Ana Triangle Neighborhood Association Pete Lockwood, South Coast Neighborhood Association Irma P. Jauregui, Wilshire Square Neighborhood Association Adolfo Sierra and Jose J. Rea, Madison Park Neighborhood Association Victor Mendez, Zoo District Neighborhood Association Becerra, Alexis From: Villegas, Robert <robert.villegas@bos2.oc.gov> Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 12:39 PM To: eComment Cc: Villegas, Robert Subject: Item #19 - Supervisor Sarmiento Letter Regarding Item # 19 Attachments: Supervisor Sarmiento Letter to Santa Ana Regarding CRC 7-21-26.pdf -Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Good afternoon, Please find attached a letter from Supervisor Sarmiento regarding Item #19 on tonight's agenda regarding the proposed Coordinated Reentry Center. Thank you, Robert L. Villegas Communications Advisor Office of Vicente Sarmiento Second District Supervisor County of Orange 1 VICENTE SARMIENTO • j ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUPERVISOR, SECOND DISTRICT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION NORTH BUILDING 400 W.CIVIC CENTER DRIVE.SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92701 PHONE(714)834-3220 July 21, 2026 City of Santa Ana Mayor and Councilmembers/ City Manager 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Agenda Item 19,Direction Regarding the Proposed Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center at the Former Youth Guidance Center Site in Santa Ana Dear City Manager Nunez,Mayor Amezcua, and City Council Members, I am writing to provide additional information regarding Agenda Item 19 and to clarify the current status of the proposed Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center at the former Youth Guidance Center site in Santa Ana. As you may know, individuals who have completed their jail sentences are often released in Santa Ana without access to the supportive services that can help them successfully transition back into the community. The concept of establishing a reentry center to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes was first developed in 2019. In 2021,the former Youth Guidance Center site in Santa Ana was identified as the preferred location. Both decisions occurred before I took office as County Supervisor. Since learning of the Reentry Center, I have consistently maintained that the County should not move forward with funding the project until there has been meaningful engagement with the City of Santa Ana and the surrounding community. While I believe reentry services are critical to successful rehabilitation, projects like these must be developed transparently and in partnership with the communities that host the services. Without that partnership, the project risks undermining the very goals it is intended to achieve. At its June 9 meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors provided direction on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 County budget, which included approximately $21 million in capital funding related to the proposed Coordinated Reentry Center. During that meeting, I urged my colleagues to pause moving forward with the project until the County conducted meaningful public outreach with the City of Santa Ana and the surrounding community. I made clear that residents deserved the opportunity to understand the proposal, ask questions, and provide input before any decisions were made regarding the future use of the former Youth Guidance Center site. On June 18, I joined Mayor Amezcua, members of the Santa Ana City Council, and residents at a community meeting to discuss the proposed project. During that meeting, I reaffirmed my position VICENTE SARMIENTO • j ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUPERVISOR, SECOND DISTRICT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION NORTH BUILDING 400 W.CIVIC CENTER DRIVE.SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92701 PHONE(714)834-3220 that I could not support funding the project until there had been meaningful engagement with the City and the community. At the June 23 Board of Supervisors meeting, many Santa Ana residents submitted written comments and appeared before the Board to express their views on the project. Their input reinforced the concerns that had been raised previously regarding the need for greater community engagement. The Board ultimately did not include funding for the proposed Coordinated Adult Reentry Center in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. As a result, the adopted budget does not authorize the proposed Adult Reentry Center or any capital improvements at the former Youth Guidance Center site. To be clear, at this time the Board of Supervisors have not approved construction of a Reentry Center at this location, nor has it approved funding to renovate the former Youth Guidance Center for this purpose. While County staff have completed preliminary conceptual design work to evaluate what the site could potentially look like, no construction has begun, no construction has been authorized, and no funding has been approved. Before any project could move forward at this or any other location, County staff would be required to return to the Board of Supervisors for separate public consideration and approval. Since the direction was given, County staff have made efforts to initiate discussions with the City regarding the proposal and have sent formal requests to meet with City leadership, including letters dated June 22 and July 10. Although those discussions have not yet occurred, my office as well as County staff remain available to meet with City representatives, answer questions, and provide additional information. I remain committed to working collaboratively with the City Council, County staff,residents, and stakeholders to ensure that any future discussions are transparent, inclusive, and guided by community input. I look forward to continuing to work together in the best interests of the Santa Ana community. Sincerely, Vicente Sarmiento Orange County Board Supervisor, District 2 Becerra, Alexis From: Mary Maduena < Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 12:54 PM To: eComment Subject: Item #19 Attention:This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. I oppose the Reentry Center in Santa Ana.This city already struggles with a huge homeless population, adding this facility would only compound this issue. With the Santa Ana, being the dumping grounds for many cities to drop off their homeless people,the county jail being in the city's backyard, now there's a proposal to add a Reentry Center!The answer is NO!! Residents, elected officials, and representatives from other cities, all have the same mindset,to push these type of facilities,their homeless population, on to the communities of Santa Ana. The residents of Santa Ana, care just the same about our quality of living and want a safe and healthy community. Thankyou Sent from my iPhone i Becerra, Alexis From: Cathy Morehead <moreheadc@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 3:42 PM To: eComment; Amezcua, Valerie;jlopez@mnwd.com; dbenavides@santa-ana.org; Penaloza, David; Hernandez, Johnathan; Bacerra, Phil Subject: OPPOSE Item #19 Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear City Manager, I am a resident of of Santa Ana Ward 3 and I OPPOSE Item #19 the Orange County Coordinated Reentry Center at the former Youth Guidance Center site in Santa Ana. Please let the County know the City of Santa Ana does not want or support this project. Thank you, Cathy Morehead Cathy Morehead + Associates C. 714-381-3340 www.CathyMorehead.com i