Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 1 10/23/2025
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
October 23, 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 10/23/2025
MINUTES: At 5:35 p.m. Executive Director Hawk Scott requested a chairperson be named in Chair Herrera’s absence.
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Diaz to nominate Commissioner Jogwe as Interim Chair of tonight’s meeting in Chair Herrera’s absence, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez.
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
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson
MINUTES: Interim Chairperson Jogwe called the meeting to order at 5:36 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:
Hawk Scott, Executive Director
Suzi Furjanic, Park & Landscape Design Manager
Ethan Fisher,
Brian Sternberg, Library Services Director
Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
ROLL CALL Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
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Commission 3 10/23/2025
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Wayne conducted roll call.
Commissioners Diaz, Gonzalez, Jogwe, Nelson (arrived at 5:37 p.m.), Reyes, Rodriguez, Woo, and Vice Chair Zacarias Torres were present. Chair Herrera was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson
MINUTES: Interim Chair Jogwe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Executive Director Hawk Scott requested a motion to have a special presentation prior to the presentations on the agenda.
MOTION: Moved by Interim Chair Jogwe to have a special presentation prior to the agenda presentations, seconded by Commissioner Diaz.
The motion carried, 8-0-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ,
COMMISSIONER JOGWE, COMMISSIONER NELSON,
COMMISSIONER REYES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ,
COMMISSIONER WOO, VICE CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES,
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CHAIR HERRERA
Status: 8 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott welcomed Park & Landscape Design Manager Suzi Furjanic up for the special presentation of announcing her retirement from the City of Santa Ana. The Commissioners thanked her for her service to the City and presented her with sign.
PRESENTATIONS Employees of the Month
MINUTES: The Commissioners presented certificates for Employees of the Month to Alexander Mosqueda, Evelyn Rodriguez, and Itzel Reyes thanking them for all their hard work and efforts.
Next, Planning and Building Senior Planner, Siri Champion presented the Zoning Code Update Presentation.
Commissioners Woo, Diaz, Reyes, Nelson, Vice Chair Zacarias Torres and Interim
Chair Jogwe asked questions about open spaces, privately owned spaces, residential
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Commission 4 10/23/2025
verses commercial zones, the study itself and workshops, raising concerns about parking, multi person housing and single family housing.
Senior Planner Champion responded to all questions and concerns with more information, explained the stage they are at in the study and workshops, and gathered all of the feedback from the commissioners.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MINUTES: There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MINUTES: The Consent Calendar was considered 6:22 P.M.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar Items: 1 and 2.
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 25 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 Vice Chair Zacarias Torres.
The motion carried, 8-0-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ,
COMMISSIONER JOGWE, COMMISSIONER NELSON,
COMMISSIONER REYES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ,
COMMISSIONER WOO, VICE CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CHAIR HERRERA
Status: 8 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass
BUSINESS CALENDAR
3. 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission Meeting Schedule and Locations.
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Commission 5 10/23/2025
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott presented 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission Meeting Schedule and Locations.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres requested to add two more offsite locations to the schedule and supported Roosevelt-Walker Community Center being one of them .
Interim Chair Jogwe requested Salgado Recreation Center as the second additional location.
Executive Director Hawk Scott proposed to change the location of the May 28 th
meeting to Salgado Recreation Center, and August 27th meeting to Roosevelt- Walker Community Center.
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Woo to approve the 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission Meeting Schedule and Locations with the changes to the locations of the May 28 th and August 27th
meetings, seconded by Commissioner Nelson.
The motion passed, 8-0-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ,
COMMISSIONER JOGWE, COMMISSIONER NELSON,
COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER REYES,
COMMISSIONER WOO, VICE CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CHAIR HERRERA
Status: 8 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
4. Bristol Recreation Corridor.
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott presented the Bristol Recreation Corridor as an update from what was presented at last meeting.
5. Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
MINUTES: Library Services Director Brian Sternberg presented the Santa Ana Public Library Staff report to the commission.
Interim
Chair Jogwe asked if there is a public schedule for the Mobile Library bus and asked Director Sternberg why he does what he does and why it is important.
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Director Sternberg responded with the future plans for the knowledge mobile and told the commission how essential libraries are to Cities.
6. Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
MINUTES: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Zoo Deputy Director Ethan Fisher presented the Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report to the Commission.
Commissioner Gonzalez asked about what volunteer opportunities are available.
Deputy Director Fisher provided more information.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres asked for an update on the Eco Center project.
Deputy Director Fisher responded.
Interim
Chair Jogwe asked how does someone become a deputy director of a zoo. Deputy Director Fisher responded that a lot of people start as a volunteer, or come from the Business or Hospitality industry.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott mentioned the El Salvador Harvest Fest tomorrow, Saturday there is Spooktacular at Jerome Center and Boo at the Zoo too.
Also he mentioned there is 4 football games in 3 days happening at the stadium and thanked the commission for all the support.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Commissioner Diaz is sad that Suzi Furjanic is retiring, thanked Director Sternberg for the new book mobile and all the library workshops. She is also excited about the different improvements and new animals at the Zoo. Finally, she mentioned the new stadium seats are very comfortable and the facility is well kept and clean, and thanked the team for the community center programming.
Commissioner Gonzalez thanked Executive Director Scott for the information and for all the library and zoo activities.
Interim Chair Jogwe mentioned recreation, sport and knowledge all helps our city and thanked everyone for all that they are doing.
Commissioner Nelson was shocked about Suzi Furjanic’s retirement and asked about her position, and he is excited for the new library and zoo improvements.
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Commissioner Reyes thanked everyone, she loves going to the Zoo with her grandkids and cannot wait to see the improvements at the Library too. She is also excited for the projects coming up for Parks and Recreation too.
Commissioner Rodriguez thankful for everything the team does, looking forward to the Zoo accessibility of the new pathways and Boo at the Zoo. She also mentioned October
being breast cancer awareness month.
Commissioner Woo gave additional details about the Harvest Festival and appreciated the help from Parks and Recreation. She also was happy about the Bristol Recreation Corridor, and hoped to have a presentation in her neighborhood community for that project.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres thanked everyone for the updates, is looking forward to seeing follow ups about the preserving murals policy, and mentioned ICE information and contact info.
Interim Chair Jogwe lastly mentioned the upcoming FASFA meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission is scheduled for Thursday, December 4
th at 5:30 pm at the City Hall Council Chamber, 22
Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
MINUTES: Interim Chair Jogwe adjourned the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary