The city of Santa Clarita held its annual State of the City event Thursday, celebrating the past year’s accomplishments, as well as looking ahead to 2027 in the community.
“Santa Clarita is never standing still,” said Mayor Laurene Weste, referring to the city’s theme for the event, which was “Rolling into the Future,” and its momentum toward big projects, such as, The Rink, its $28 million sports arena that opened this month and served as the event’s host.
“We do what we do in the community for you — you are the heart of Santa Clarita,” Weste said Thursday. “If it were not for you, we could not do the job. And so it’s beyond any words to tell you how great it is to be with you in what I consider the best community anywhere.”
A few of the highlights mentioned from 2026 include the completion of the city’s $38.5 million VIsta Canyon Bridge, the growth of programming at William S. Hart Park, additions to the open space, including the historic Beale’s Cut, and the city’s newest Santa Clarita Bike Park, which is located off Haskell Canyon Road in Saugus.
The event also served as a goodbye of sorts, with two City Council members having previously announced their intentions not to seek re-election next month. The city paid tribute to the retirements of Councilwoman Marsha McLean and Councilman Bill Miranda, who received video tributes honoring their 24 and nine years in office, respectively.
“I am proud of the battles we fought, the places we protected, and the progress we made together,” said McLean, whose advocacy efforts on behalf of the city, its transportation needs and the environment were all mentioned during Thursday’s tribute. “And while my time on the council may be coming to an end, my love for Santa Clarita certainly is not. I will always be an advocate for this community.”
Miranda is stepping down after joining the City Council in January 2017 as an appointee to replace Dante Acosta, who left the City Council for the Assembly that year.
Miranda reflected on his two terms as mayor and other past city advocacy, including for the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
“My love for Santa Clarita is because of its people, who not only helped my family and me, but who were open and willing to help one another, no matter what it takes,” he said during his remarks. “Santa Clarita, you have given me more than I can ever give you, and I thank you for that. And God bless you.”
Weste, along with her council colleagues, thanked McLean and Miranda, and also city staff, for making so many of the city’s envisioned accomplishments a reality that residents can enjoy.
City officials mentioned that Councilman Jason Gibbs was unable to attend due to a family emergency. He shared a video that highlighted the city’s commitments to wildfire protection, public safety programs and improving local roads and commutes. In terms of infrastructure improvements, the city is months away from completing its fiberoptic network, which will bring extremely fast internet connectivity to the city.
Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala talked about the connectivity of the community that’s created by city programming, which is one of the reasons she loves the city.
“Our theme, ‘Rolling into the Future,’ celebrates a city that continues to grow while staying true to what makes Santa Clarita extraordinary: our people, our traditions, and our community that make us feel super extraordinary to live,” she said.
One of the more promising looks ahead was a mention of the city’s pending purchase of the former Santa Clarita Elementary School campus, which was approved last month. The move could bring Saugus a new community center or a library, which are two of the possibilities being considered for the land.
And of course, as has also become tradition with the event, the city’s communications team also had a little bit of fun with the City Council, using each of the City Council members, except the mayor, in a humorous video montage — with artificial intelligence-infused footage.
Miranda, who’s famous in local circles for his pronounced enunciation of the “U” in The Cube, had a highlight reel that showed him zipping around the city’s skating rink, throwing body checks and taking an acrobatic shot on goal.
Ayala flew around The Rink on roller skates, taking part in a roller derby and then performing an aerial show on the hardwood, not to be one-upped by a tapdancing McLean, whose video had a few acrobatic moves as well.
After asking everyone if they liked the video, Miranda jokingly said, “Imagine what’s going to happen when the city starts using AI.”
