Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 1 2/26/2026
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
February 26, 2026
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 2/26/2026
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson
MINUTES: Chairperson Herrera called the meeting to order at 5:30 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
Ethan Fisher, PRCSA Deputy Director, Zoo
Brian Sternberg, Library Services Director
Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
ROLL CALL Hannah Wayne, Recording Secretary
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Wayne conducted roll call.
Commissioners Diaz, Gonzalez, Reyes, Rodriguez, Woo, Vice Chair Zacarias Torres and Chair Herrera were present. Commissioners Jogwe and Nelson were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson
MINUTES: Chair Herrera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MINUTES: There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MINUTES: The Consent Calendar was considered 5:33 P.M.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 3 2/26/2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar Items: 1 and 2.
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 22, 2026.
Recommended Action: Approve Minutes.
2. Excused absences.
Recommended Action: Approve Excused Absences.
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Diaz to approve Consent Calendar items 1 and 2, seconded by Vice Chair Zacarias Torres.
The motion carried, 7-0-0-2, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER DIAZ, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ ,
COMMISSIONER REYES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ,
COMMISSIONER WOO, VICE CHAIR ZACARIAS TORRES,
CHAIR HERRERA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER JOGWE, COMMISSIONER NELSON
Status: 7 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3. Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
MINUTES: Library Services Director Brian Sternberg presented the Santa Ana Public Library Staff report to the commission.
Commissioner Diaz asked when the Main Library will be ready for the Grand Opening. Director Sternberg responded that construction should be done by July, soft opening hopefully in September, and then a grand opening after that.
Newhope Library is targeting March or April, soft opening hopefully in May.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres asked about the book clubs participation and computer resources at the Delhi Library. Director Sternberg responded that the book club participation is going well and that there are lots of resources still available while the Main Library and Newhope Library are under construction.
Commissioner Rodriguez asked about library cards. Director Sternberg responded with more information.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 4 2/26/2026
Chair Herrera commended the library staff on their work at the Knowledge mobile, thanked Director Sternberg for the Día de Los Niño’s event, and asked about parking for that event. Director Sternberg responded with more information about the event parking options.
Chair Herrera asked about scheduling a parks tour for the commission and about a budget presentation for the various departments. Director Sternberg and Executive Director Scott responded that they plan to provide the Library and Parks and Rec budgets at upcoming meetings.
4. 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 Woo commented about the Santa Ana Enthusiasts and asked about the City Nature Challenge.
Chair Herrera asked about the wall plans that were submitted to cal trans. Deputy Director Fisher provided more details about the fence that plans to be installed on the North End of the Zoo.
Commissioners Diaz, Reyes, Woo and Chair Herrera asked about the Brew at the Zoo event details, tickets, zoo closing time prior to the event and about the food options for the event. Deputy Director Fisher responded with more information. Commissioners Reyes and Woo also suggested some vendors and asked about volunteers for the event.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES:
Executive Director Hawk Scott talked about Santa Ana Enthusiasts, the Seniors Natural History Museum visit, the Santa Ana Fun Run on April 11th, girls basketball sign-ups are happening at Jerome and they are partnering with the sparks again this year. He also mentioned that the adult kickball league is starting up again, as well as, the emerging lifeguards program at Jerome pool. Also the teen excursion to the ducks hockey game and hiring fair is coming up. Lastly he announced that Parks and Rec is working on an agreement to take over the management of Riverview Golf Course and plans to present to City Council soon.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission 5 2/26/2026
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Commissioner Diaz thanked Director Sternberg for the events at the community centers and is looking forward to Brew at the Zoo. She is happy about all the added features at the zoo and recommended that the Chicano Heritage event is earlier this year.
Commissioner Gonzalez thanked everyone for all their hard work.
Commissioner Reyes thanked Director Sternberg for the information, she is excited about the Library renovation, and thanked Deputy Director Fisher for everything at the zoo and hopes to go to the Brew at the Zoo.
Commissioner Rodriguez thanked all for the updates, hopes that the membership exchange continues in the future.
Commissioner Woo urged the public to participate so that the city is made aware of the problem areas of the community and talked about an event she attended at the Riverview golf course that supported a local charity.
Vice Chair Zacarias Torres thanked all for the updates, and asked if the hours of the community centers could be reconsidered so they are better utilized for cooling centers.
Executive Director Scott mentioned that the budget survey is open and he will send it to them.
Chair Herrera seconded the comment from Vice Chair about the center hours being considered and asked about planning budget presentations and parks tour.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission is scheduled for Thursday, March 26
th at 5:30 pm at the Santa Anita Community Center,
300 S Figueroa St, Santa Ana, CA 92703.
MINUTES: Chair Herrera adjourned the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting at 6:38 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary