Youth Commission 1 2/23/2026
Youth Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2026
City Hall Ross Annex Room 1600
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
6:00 PM
Youth Commission 2 2/23/2026
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 Wyatt Malfavon called the Youth Commission Meeting to order at 6:08 P.M.
ROLL CALL Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Hannah Wayne conducted roll call.
All Youth Commissioners were present.
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 6:09 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered.
MOTION: Vice Chair Benitez moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2, seconded by Youth Commissioner Rodriguez.
Youth Commission 3 2/23/2026
The motion carried, 5-0-0-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
YOUTH COMMISSIONER LUIS, YOUTH COMMISSIONER
MUÑOZ, YOUTH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ , VICE
CHAIRPERSON BENITEZ, CHAIRPERSON MALFAVON
NONE
NONE
NONE
Status: 5 – 0 – 0 – 0 Pass
1. Minutes from the Special Meeting of January 26th, 2026.
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
2. Excuse Absences.
Recommended Action: Approve excused absences.
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3. Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
MINUTES: Library Services Director Brian Sternberg presented the Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
4. 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 construction of the new multipurpose building at the Zoo. Deputy Director Fisher provided more details.
***END OF INFORMATIONAL ITEMS***
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott provided some additional information about the Santa Ana Senior Centers and the events they have going on, as well as, the aquatics program. He also mentioned that the memorial aquatic center construction is coming along, adult kickball and girls basketball programs are starting up, and the teen excursion to the Ducks game is coming up. Lastly, he talked about some upcoming events like the hiring fair on March 19th and April 9th at Jerome’s Center, the Brew at the Zoo fundraiser, and the Fun Run on April 11th. He ended his comments providing
Youth Commission 4 2/23/2026
details about the proposal to be presented at the next City Council Meeting for a management agreement for Riverview Golf Course.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Youth Commissioner Luis said she plans to participate in the City Nature Challenge.
Youth Commission Member Munoz loved the festival event and thought it was an overall good meeting.
Youth Commissioner Rodriguez thanked everyone for coming out today and for the good insight. He also said it was good to see the turnout at the Tet Festival.
Vice Chairperson Benitez is excited about the upcoming programs and events, and wants to try some of them out.
Chairperson Malfavon thanked everyone for the information and for the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Youth Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Santa Anita Community Center, 300 S Figueroa St, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
MINUTES: Chairperson Malfavon adjourned the Youth Commission meeting at 6:38 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary