Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 1 8/28/2025
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
August 28, 2025
REGULAR OPEN MEETING – 5:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 2 8/28/2025
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson
MINUTES: In Chairperson Herrera’s absence, Vice Chairperson Zacarias Torres called the meeting to order at 5:37 P.M.
ATTENDANCE Commission Members:
Selica Diaz
Nancy Gonzalez
Josh Jogwe
Cory Nelson
Silvia Reyes
Alejandra Rodriguez
Ruby Woo
Maria Zacarias Torres, Vice Chair
Roberto Herrera, Chair
Staff:
Brian Sternberg, Library Services Director
Ethan Fisher, PRCSA Deputy Director, Zoo
Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
ROLL CALL Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Wayne conducted roll call.
Commissioners Diaz, Gonzalez, Jogwe, Reyes, Rodriguez, Woo, and Vice Chair Zacarias Torres were present. Commissioner Nelson and Chair Herrera were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson
MINUTES: Vice Chair Zacarias Torres led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS Employees of the Month
MINUTES: The Commissioners presented certificates for Employees of the Month to William Engels, Leeroy Queriapa, Mackenzie Arroyo, and Juan Carlos Sanchez thanking them for all their hard work and efforts.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MINUTES: Chris thanked the commissioners for their service, and expressed some concerns about some soccer leagues that use the fields in Santa Ana. He reminded the
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public to properly use the park permits and he also advocated for Parks, Recreation and Community Services to create a youth soccer league.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MINUTES: The Consent Calendar was considered 5:50 P.M.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar Items: 1 and 2.
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 24 2025.
Recommended Action: Approve Minutes.
2. Excused absences.
Recommended Action: Approve Excused Absences.
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Woo to approve Consent Calendar items 1 and 2, seconded by Commissioner Diaz.
The motion carried, 7-0-0-2, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ,
COMMISSIONER JOGWE, COMMISSIONER REYES,
COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER WOO, VICE
CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER NELSON, CHAIR HERRERA
Status: 7 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
BUSINESS CALENDAR
3. 10th & Flower St. Park Naming.
MINUTES: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Zoo Deputy Director Ethan Fisher presented the 10th & Flower St. Park Naming.
Commissioners Gonzlez and Woo advocated to name the park Freedom Park, and Commissioners Jogwe and Diaz discussed the other options and selection process.
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MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Gonzalez to recommend Freedom Park as the name for the 10th & Flower St. Park, seconded by Commissioner Woo.
The motion failed, 4-3-0-2, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ,
COMMISSIONER WOO, VICE CHAIR ZACARIAS
TORRES
NOES: COMMISSIONER JOGWE, COMMISSIONER REYES,
COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER NELSON, CHAIR HERRERA
Status: 4 – 3 – 0 – 2 – Fail
MINUTES: The Commissioners discussed the recommendations presented again and requested for more surveying and background information.
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Woo to move Business Calendar Item 3 to next meeting agenda, seconded by Commissioner Diaz.
The motion passed, 7-0-0-2, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER JOGWE,
COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, COMMISSIONER REYES,
COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER WOO,
VICE CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER NELSON, CHAIR HERRERA
Status: 7 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
4. Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
MINUTES: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Zoo Deputy Director Ethan Fisher presented the Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
Commissioner Rodriguez left the meeting at 6:15 P.M.
Commissioner Woo commented about the train engineers.
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Commissioner Jogwe asked about the cost of the Gala. Deputy Director Fisher provided further details on the tickets and what is included in the Annual Gala.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres, asked about the attendance of Brew at the Zoo and signage for the Eco Center. Deputy Director Fisher responded that attendance did decrease this year and also stated that they are working on signage for Santiago Park.
5. Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
Minutes: Library Services Director Brian Sternberg presented the Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report to the Commission.
Commissioner Gonzalez asked if there is a book a student needs are they able to request that. Director Sternberg responded yes.
Commissioner Reyes commented that the Dehi project is beautiful and asked how much was the project, Director Sternberg responded $4 M.
Commissioner Diaz commended them on the outdoor library being close to the senior center and asked if there was a way to add a QR code to the park.
Director Sternberg responded that they plan to have a sticker QR code for more information.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres asked if there is Spanish books in the Outdoor Library. Director Sternberg said yes there are books in Spanish and Vietnamese in the library collection. She also asked about the statue outside the library and Director Sternberg assured her they it is protected in place while the construction is going on.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES: Deputy Director Fisher mentioned the Chicano Heritage Festival was a success, Fiestas Patrias is in 2 weeks and the press release went out today, the aquatics program did great this year by increasing by 5%, and this weekend is the last weekend of extended hours at the Zoo. He also passed out the new Cultura magazines.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Commissioner Diaz thanked Fisher for the zoo improvements, updates, and successful events. She also thanked Director Sternberg for the library improvements and impact on the community.
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Commissioner Gonzalez thanked both directors for all they do for the city and what they provide for the kids.
Commissioner Jogwe echoed what they were all saying, and hopes to go see the new libraries. He also mentioned the Britsol proposition.
Commissioner Woo commented how amazing the new libraries are and appreciated the ADA compliant accessibility. She also stated the chicano festival was fantastic and looks forward to next year.
Commissioner Reyes thanked you both directors for their projects and improvements and is happy and proud of the changes going on in the city.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres asked about the zoo extended hours. Deputy Director Fisher said it varied and he wasn’t sure if it will be continuing. She then thanked everyone for their updates and advocated for all wards to have updated libraries and parks.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission is scheduled for Thursday, September 25
th at 5:30 pm at the City Hall Council Chambers,
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
MINUTES: Vice Chair Zacarias Torres adjourned the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting at 6:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary