Youth Commission 1 12/15/2025
Youth Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
December 15, 2025
City Hall Council Chambers
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
6:00 PM
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CALL TO ORDER Chairperson
ATTENDANCE Youth Commission Members:
Alyin Luis
Neylen Muñoz
Jesse Rodriguez
Mercy Benitez, Vice-Chairperson
Wyatt Malfavon, Chairperson
Staff:
Hawk Scott, Executive Director
Brian Sternberg, Library Services Director
Ethan Fisher, PRCSA Deputy Director, Zoo
Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
MINUTES: Chairperson Malfavon called the Youth Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Hannah Wayne conducted roll call.
Youth Commissioners Luis, Rodriguez, Vice Chair Benitez and Chair Malfavon were present. Youth Commissioner Munoz was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson
MINUTES: Chairperson Malfavon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MINUTES: There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MINUTES: At 6:01 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered.
MOTION: Vice Chair Benitez moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2,
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seconded by Chairperson Malfavon.
The motion carried, 4-0-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
YOUTH COMMISSIONER LUIS, YOUTH COMMISSIONER
RODRIGUEZ, VICE CHAIRPERSON BENITEZ,
CHAIRPERSON MALFAVON
NONE
NONE
YOUTH COMMISSIONER MUÑOZ
Status: 4 – 0 – 0 – 1 Pass
1. Minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 17th, 2025.
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
2. Excuse Absences.
Recommended Action: Approve excused absences.
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3. Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
MINUTES: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Deputy Director, Zoo Ethan Fisher presented the Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
Chair Malfavon asked about the timeline for the roof renovation of the ticket booth. Deputy Director Fisher responded with timeline details.
4. Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
MINUTES: Library Services Director Brian Sternberg presented the Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
Commissioner Rodriguez asked if there was better signage they can have for the book mobile. Director Sternberg responded.
Chair Malfavon asked what additional services are provided with the new larger version of the Book Mobile. Director Sternberg said there will be more room for technology, books, snacks and materials, as well as, a larger canopy to provide shade.
***END OF INFORMATIONAL ITEMS***
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COMMISSION MEMBER REQUESTED ITEMS
MINUTES: Vice Chair Benitez lead the discussion providing the research for her podcast idea, she concluded there was no other youth commissions lead podcast.
Commissioner Luis brought an Art Walk opportunity that happens on the first of the month every month, and encouraged the youth commissioners to volunteer with the event.
Chair Malfavon suggested making a youth commission lead Instagram account to engage with the youth that way. He suggested the youth commissioners posting on it all together, selecting the content, and it could continue on for future Youth Commissions.
Vice Chair Benitez asked for more details behind the idea of the Instagram account.
Executive Director Hawk Scott responded that he would talk to his team about the ideas and bring it back to the commission.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott thanked the commissioners for being at events and being on the commission this year. He announced that coming up on Friday there is open house event at El Salvador Park and Saturday is the Zoo grand opening of the Rivers Edge exhibit. Finally talked about the PRCS team down in Laguna Niguel for a parade and he is looking forward to the next year of these meetings to be on the road and the events in 2026.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Youth Commissioner Luis was thankful to be on the youth commission this year, and wished everyone happy holidays and good luck on finals.
Youth Commissioner Rodriguez thanked for everyone for presenting today and for the information. He hopes to see most of the youth commissioners at the Zoo on Saturday, and wished everyone happy holidays and see you in 2026.
Vice Chairperson Benitez wished happy holidays and good luck on finals.
Chairperson Malfavon thanked everyone for attending the meeting and wished everyone happy holidays. He said it was great to see everyone at the Plaza Navidena event and hope to see them at the Zoo grand opening, and noted that Santa Ana residents are free on Saturday and Sunday at the Zoo.
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ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Youth Commission is scheduled for Monday, January 19th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
MINUTES: Chairperson Malfavon adjourned the Youth Commission meeting at 6:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary