Minutes of the
Police Oversight Commission
LEOR
February 13, 2025
REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
22 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES: Chair Vega called the meeting to order at 5:05 P.M.
ATTENDANCE Commissioners: Gabriel Castillo Laughton
Evangeline Gawronski
Carlos Perea
Nadin Said
Amalia Mejia
Keith Carpenter, Vice-Chairperson
Danny Vega, Chairperson
Staff: Jorge Lopez, Commander
Jonathan Martinez, Assistant City
Attorney
Tamara Bogosian, Senior Assistant City
Attorney
Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager
Kelly Flores, Recording Secretary
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 1 FEBRUARY 13, 2025
ROLL CALL
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Kelly Flores conducted roll call.
Commissioners Castillo Laughton, Gawronski, Perea, Said, and Mejia, Vice Chair Carpenter, and Chair Vega were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: Chair Vega led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Public comments will be held during the beginning of the meeting for all comments on agenda items. Members of the public may provide comments on any agenda or non-agenda items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission.
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Kelly Flores announced one e-comment was received.
STUDY SESSION
1. Discussion of Commission Topics for 2025 Meetings
MINUTES: Chair Vega asked for direction for the discussion of Commission Topics.
Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez provided direction for the Discussion of Commission Topics.
Chair Vega inquired on the cancellation of past meetings.
Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez provided a response to Chair Vega's inquiry.
Vice Chair Carpenter disclosed he sent an email regarding the commission's bylaws.
Commissioner Mejia disclosed she sent an email regarding the bylaws, compliance with City's Sanctuary Ordinance, State Policies (SB54), and setting a protocol for analyzing complaints.
Assistant City Attorney Martinez requested clarification on Commissioners Mejia's request regarding the City's Sanctuary Ordinance.
Commissioner Mejia provided clarification on her request for the City's Sanctuary Ordinance.
Commissioner Said and Vice-Chair Carpenter inquired regarding the Oversight Director.
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 2 FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Deputy City Manager Vazquez and Assistant City Attorney Martinez provided a response to Commissioner's inquiries regarding the Oversight Director.
Discussion ensued related to potential topics of: Policies on home searches, Bylaws, SB54, Sanctuary City laws compliance with State Ordinance, Sanctuary Ordinance, Polices and Procedures, Military equipment contracts, State law policies and procedures, Police Oversight Commission Ordinance, Police Department driving practices, AB1506, independent oversight director, data from the Police Department, and prioritization of agenda items.
Deputy City Manager Vazquez stated items would be placed on the agenda at the discretion of the City Manager.
Chair Vega, Commissioner Castillo Laughton, and Commissioner Gawronski requested copies of bylaws from other commissions.
Deputy City Manager Vazquez confirmed the bylaws would be provided. ***END OF WORK STUDY SESSION***
2. Staff Comments
MINUTES: Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez stated she is happy to serve as the City Manager's Office designee and looks forward to working with the commission.
3. Commissioner Comments
Minutes: Commissioner Said inquired regarding AB481.
Commander Jorge Lopez spoke regarding AB481 Military Usage.
Vice Chair Carpenter urged everyone to speak to their councilmembers regarding the oversight director.
Commissioner Gawronski requested a presentation regarding bylaws.
Chair Vega, Commissioner Castillo Laughton, Commissioner Perea and Commissioner Mejia expressed they are looking forward to working in the commission.
ADJOURNMENT - Adjoum the Police Oversight Commission Meeting MINUTES: Chair Vega adjourned the Police Oversight Commission meeting at 6:09 P.M.
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 3 FEBRUARY 13, 2025
The next meeting of the Police Oversight Commission is scheduled for March 13, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kellyp
Kelly Flores
Recording Secretary
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 4 FEBRUARY 13, 2025