Personnel Board
Special Meeting Minutes
June 25, 2025
ROSS ANNEX ROOM 1600
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
6:30 PM
VACANT
City-wide Rep
VACANT BERENICE BALLINAS
Ward 1 Ward 4
GABRIELA HERNANDEZ- VACANT
CASTILLO Ward 5
Ward 2
DAVID CROCKETT ANGIE RIVERA
Vice Chair Ward 6
Ward 3
JAMES MURRAY
Board Secretary
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in this Meeting, contact Michael Ortiz, City ADA Program Coordinator, at (714) 647-5624. Notification 48 hours prior to the Meeting will enable the City to make I reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting. The City Council agenda and supporting documentation can be found on the City's website - www.santaana.org/city-meetings.
Personnel Board 1 6/25/2025
CALL TO ORDER
ATTENDANCE
Board Members:
Gabriela Hernandez-Castillo
David Crockett
Angie Rivera
Berenice Ballinas
Staff:
James Murray, Board Secretary
Josephine Ho, Human Resources Staff
Minutes: The Personnel Board meeting was called to order at 7:14 p.m. on June 25, 2025.
ROLL CALL James Murray, Board Secretary
Minutes: All Board Members were present on June 25, 2025.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Minutes: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board Secretary James Murray.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Minutes: There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
1. Excused Absences
Minutes: There were no excused absences.
2. Approve the minutes of the meeting of the Personnel Board for May 28, 2025.
Moved by Boardmember Ballinas, seconded by Boardmember Crockett to Approve.
YES: 4 - Angie Rivera, Berenice Ballinas, Gabriela Hernandez-Castillo, David Crockett NO: 0 - ABSTAIN: 0-
Status: 4 - 0 - 0 Pass
Personnel Board 2 6/25/2025
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
BUSINESS CALENDAR
3. Discuss the Personnel Board scheduling for Case 2022-04.
Minutes: The City's attorneys were present to discuss scheduling for Case 2022-04. Due to the delayed meeting start time to meet the requirement for quorum, the counsel for the Appellant was unable to remain on the Zoom virtual attendance for the start of the meeting.
Acting Chair Crockett asked whether the Personnel Board rules had been distributed to both parties. Board Secretary Murray confirmed that the rules were provided to both the City's attorneys and the counsel for the Appellant.
Acting Chair Crockett inquired whether discovery for Case 2022-04 had begun. The City confirmed that it had not received a request for discovery and would not initiate the process until the Appellant does, since the City is the party imposing the discipline.
The City's attorneys indicated that subpoenas for documents and witnesses will be necessary for the case. They also noted that the hearing will be closed.
The City's attorneys stated that availability was discussed with the counsel for the Appellant and presented potential dates that worked for both parties. They suggested holding the pre- hearing conference on August 18, and starting the hearing during the week of September 2-5, with continuation into the week of October 6-9, depending on the Board's availability. The Board confirmed its availability for the pre-hearing conference on August 18, and for the hearing dates on September 3-4 and October 6-9.
Board Member Ballinas emphasized that it is important for both the City's attorneys and Appellant's counsel to attend Personnel Board meetings in person, rather than virtually via Zoom. Board Member Ballinas stated that all Board members, attorneys, and staff have committed their time to be physically present, and while unforeseen circumstances occur, adherence to agreed-upon meeting times is expected.
The City's attorneys commented that they were unaware that Board Member Hernandez- Castillo would be arriving later. The Secretary clarified that while he was aware in advance of Board Member Hernandez-Castillo's delayed arrival, he provided both parties with an update regarding the delay and lack of quorum when both parties were present.
Board Member Ballinas requested clarification on the official meeting start time. Board Secretary Murray clarified that Personnel Board meetings typically begin at 6:00 p.m. The current meeting began at 6:30 p.m. due to a prior agreement, as confirmed in an earlier meeting.
Board Secretary Murray announced that the next regular meeting will be held on July 24 to conduct the Vice Chair and Board Chair elections. That meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Personnel Board 3 6/25/2025
***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR***
COMMENTS
4. Board Member Comments
Minutes: Board Members expressed their gratitude to Staff for their hard work and ongoing support.
5. Staff Member Comments
Minutes: Board Secretary Murray expressed appreciation to all Board Members for their continued dedication to the Personnel Board. He also apologized for the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the absence of the Appellant's counsel at tonight's meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Minutes: The Personnel Board's regular meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m. on June 25, 2025.
Respectfully submitted
Personnel Board 4 6/25/2025