Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 1 3/27/2025
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
March 27, 2025
REGULAR OPEN MEETING – 5:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 8 3/27/2025
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson
MINUTES: Chairperson Herrera called the meeting to order at 5:40 P.M.
ATTENDANCE Commission Members:
Selica Diaz
Josh Jogwe
Cory Nelson
Silvia Reyes
Ruby Woo
Maria Zacarias Torres, Vice Chair
Roberto Herrera, Chair
Staff:
Hawk Scott, Executive Director
Timothy Pagano, PRCSA Deputy Director
Jorge Acevedo, Park Services Superintendent
Suzi Furjanic, Associate Park and Landscape Planner
Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
ROLL CALL Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Wayne conducted roll call.
Commissioners Diaz, Jogwe, Nelson, and Reyes, Vice Chair Zacarias Torres and Chair Herrera were present. Commissioner Woo was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson
MINUTES: Chair Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
Employees of the Month
Brown Act Training
City Budget Office Presentation
MINUTES: The Commissioners presented certificates for Employees of the Month to Jenny Walker, Ayana Luna, Jacob Lambert, Nayeli Carrillo, Jonathon Aguirre, and Cesar Tarin and thanked them for all their hard work and efforts.
Deputy City Attorney Brandon Salvatierra from the City’s Attorney Office provided the commission a Brown Act Training presentation.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 8 3/27/2025
Budget and Research Manager Shannon McCarron from the City Budget Office presented the City Budget to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission.
Commissioners Jogwe, Reyes and Nelson asked for clarification on a few of the presented items including sales taxes, tariffs, restricted funds and non-restricted funds.
Budget and Research Manager McCarron provided further explanation.
Commissioner Diaz, Vice Chair Zacarias Torres and Chair Herrera asked about participation in the Budget survey and suggested some collaborations and methods of reaching the public.
Chair Herrera also commented about prioritizing Parks, Recreation and Community Services and increasing sources of revenue for events and programs.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MINUTES: Scott Peterson came to the stance to speak about his Torque Toss sport and tournament and bringing it to Santa Ana.
Gay Olivos
spoke about youth and sports volunteers and wanted to introduce herself to the commission, and hopes to encourage more Santa Ana kids at our sport parks.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MINUTES: The Consent Calendar was considered 6:53 P.M.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar Items: 1 through 3.
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 27, 2025.
Recommended Action: Approve Minutes.
2. Minutes of the Special Meeting of March 8th, 2025.
Recommended Action: Approve Minutes.
3. Excused absences.
Recommended Action: Approve Excused Absences.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 8 3/27/2025
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Diaz to approve Consent Calendar items 1 through 3, seconded by Commissioner Nelson.
The motion carried, 6-0-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER JOGWE,
COMMISSIONER NELSON, COMMISSIONER REYES, VICE
CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES, CHAIR HERRERA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER WOO
Status: 6 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
4. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Budget.
MINUTES: Principal Management Analyst Francisco Arroyo presented the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Budget to the Commission.
Commissioner Diaz asked about the Parks, Recreation and Community Services events participation, sponsorship and cut events. Principal Management Analyst Arroyo and Executive Director Scott responded mentioning that the Egg Hunt, Summer Concerts and Juneteeth events were cut.
Commissioner Jogwe and Chair Herrera inquired about revenue trends and plans to increase revenue.
Principal Management Analyst Arroyo responded that revenue has increased despite mid-year reductions and changes in taxes, and Executive Director Scott mentioned ways they hope to increase revenue and make various collaborations.
Commissioners Diaz and Reyes asked about various revenue streams for stadium events. Executive Director Scott responded with the research that they have done.
Commissioner Nelson asked about field reservations. Executive Director Scott replied that the fees have not changed in a few years and will be increased this year.
5. Parks and Facilities Staff Report.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 8 3/27/2025
MINUTES: Park Services Superintendent Jorge Acevedo presented the Park and Facilities Report to the Commission.
Commissioner Diaz asked about the stadium seating, opening day and suggested leagues parents doing beautification days at the parks.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres asked about the translation of the MySantaAna app.
Park Services Superintendent Acevedo spoke that he heard May or June last.
Chair Herrera asked about upcoming events and Rosita Park parking.
Park Services Superintendent Acevedo responded that he will be sharing information about Earth Day, and is working on joint use agreements with the schools.
Associate Park and Landscape Planner Suzi Furjanic then presented Public Works presentation and detailed their current Community Outreach Policy.
The Commissioners discussed the current outreach policy and the suggested ad hoc committee approach to making recommendations about the policy.
Commissioner Nelson and Diaz suggested instead of an ad hoc committee, to have the commission make recommendations on outlined procedures of community outreach and finalize those procedures with staff. Executive Director Scott plans to present the procedures at the May meeting for the commissioners to review and make recommendations.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres also asked about completion dates for and plans for a few of the projects and Commissioner Diaz asked about funding, and about the last lot at the 10th and Flower St. park.
Associate Park and Landscape Planner Suzi Furjanic responded with estimated completion dates and plans for those items.
6. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Staff Report.
MINUTES: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Deputy Director Tim Pagano gave the report for Parks, Recreation and Community Services Staff Report.
Commissioner Reyes commented how pleased she was with the last month of senior center programs.
Commissioner Diaz thanked Deputy Director Pagano for taking the time to write grants and collaborating with UCI.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 8 3/27/2025
Commissioners Jogwe, Nelson, Vice Chair Zacarias Torres and Chair Herrera asked questions about the various programs including boys and girls basketball, contract classes, Roosevelt Walker Study Hall and the Jerome Pool.
Deputy Director Pagano responded providing details about each program and various data points, showcasing their success rate in the community.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott mentioned the Santa Ana Fun Run, Brew at the Zoo, the Butterfly exhibit and thanked the commission for their support.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Commissioner Diaz thanked the staff for their communication and engagement with the community.
Commissioner Jogwe hopes to find ways to incentivize Santa Ana groups and residents to utilize our parks more.
Commissioner Nelson commented that he hopes the competitive sports landscape in Santa Ana can improve to keep Santa Ana kids engaged locally.
Commissioner Reyes thanked the team for all they do and is very proud of the City.
Chair Herrera is looking forward to moving these items forward and coming together as a commission.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at 5:30 pm at the Newhope Library, 122 N Newhope St, Santa Ana, CA 92703.
MINUTES: Chair Herrera adjourned the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting at 9:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary