Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.org/cd
Item # 8
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 21, 2026
TOPIC: Appoint Member to the Workforce Development Board
AGENDA TITLE
Appoint Member to the Workforce Development Board
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Appoint Alex Zamora (replacing Robert Ruiz) to the Workforce Development Board, representing Labor (Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA)) as nominated by the Orange County Labor Federation, for a four-year term expiring May 31, 2030.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On May 17, 2016, the Santa Ana City Council adopted Resolution 2016-031 establishing the Santa Ana Workforce Development Board (WDB) and appointed 25 members. In accordance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Section 107(b)(2)(A-D), a local board must include representatives from designated stakeholder categories with membership proportions allocated according to specific requirements, while ensuring that business sector representatives comprise more than 50% of the total board membership. City Council appoints WDB members under the categories of membership, prescribed by law, as follows:
Representatives from local businesses 13 members
Representatives from labor, labor registered 5 members apprenticeships, and/or community-based organizations
Representatives from local education institutions 3 members Representatives from government entities 4 members
(Dept. of Rehabilitation, Social Services Agency,
EDD, and Economic Development)
Mr. Robert Ruiz, who represented organized labor on the WDB as a member of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 652, recently completed a four-year term and did not seek reappointment. To fill the vacancy, staff requested a nomination from the Orange County Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
Appoint Member to the Workforce Development Board
July 21, 2026
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The Orange County Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, nominated Mr. Alex Zamora to serve as the labor representative on the WDB. Mr. Zamora serves as a Business Agent and Executive Board Member for LIUNA Local 652, where he is responsible for negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements. A lifelong Santa Ana resident, Mr.
Zamora is committed to representing the interests of organized labor and contributing to the WDB's mission.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. OC Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Nomination Letter
2. Biography – Alex Zamora
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director, Community Development Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager