Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Environmental and Transportation
Advisory Commission of the
City of Santa Ana
March 10, 2026
CITY HALL / ROSS ANNEX
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES: Chair M. McLoughlin called the meeting to order at 4:12 p.m.
ATTENDANCE Commissioners Mario Alvarado
Lawrence Klein
Denise Reynoso
Lorena Vidaurri
Vice-Chair Maria Baeza
Chair Mark McLoughlin
Executive Director, Public Works Agency Rodolfo Rosas, P.E.
Recording Secretary: Lorrie Ortiz
ROLL CALL
MINUTES: Recording Secretary L. Ortiz conducted roll call.
Commissioners M. Alvarado, L. Klein, D. Reynoso, Vice-Chair M. Baeza and Chair M. McLoughlin were present. Absences: L. Vidaurri was absent.
ETAC 1 March 10, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. Reynoso
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Public comments will be held at the beginning of the meeting for all comments on agenda and non-agenda items.
Minutes: There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 9, 2025
2. EXCUSED ABSENCES: There were no excused absences.
MOTION: Commissioner Alvarado moved to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 - 2, seconded by Commissioner Reynoso.
The motion carried, 5-1-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONER ALVARADO, COMMISSIONER KLEIN,
COMMISSIONER REYNOSO, VICE-CHAIR BAEZA, CHAIR
MCLOUGHLIN,
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER VIDAURRI was absent.
Status: 5-1-0 Pass
BUSINESS CALENDAR
3. DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UPDATE
Recommended Action: Informational Item
MINUTES: Monica Suter, Principal Civil Engineer, introduced the item and noted that process improvements are continually sought. Engineer Suter reviewed the organizational structure of the division and the services provided including plancheck reviews; permit processing; counter support, site plan reviews; reviews of conditions; support to the Planning Commission; surveying documents; subdivision map review; easements and right of way abandonment.
Anderson Chrysostomo, Senior Civil Engineer, provided the section of the presentation concerning subdivisions.
ETAC 2 March 10, 2026
Yvonne Soto, Associate Engineer, provided new projects and goals, including plan checking and permitting in one process. Engineers Suter, Chrysostomo and Soto, and Executive Director Rodolfo Rosas responded to inquiries from commissioners.
4. E-BIKES AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES
Recommended Action: Informational Item
MINUTES: Zed Kekula, Principal Civil Engineer, introduced the item and emphasized that convenience is the primary incentive for the growing popularity of e-bikes. Insurance, licensing, and registration are also not necessary. There is also no minimum age to operate an e-bike. The differences in Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes were discussed. On January 1, 2026, new labeling standards for e-bikes were introduced.
Scooters are currently technically illegal on Segerstrom, and that issue needs to be addressed. Engineer Kekula acknowledged that rider behavior also requires attention. He commented that the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is the lead for micro-mobility in the County and that OCTA has excellent educational materials.
Challenges include the rising use of micromobility devices, the need for more infrastructure, and regulatory gaps.
The City recently applied for an Office of Traffic Safety grant to implement a traffic safety program. Engineer Kekula addressed commissioner inquiries.
Commissioner L. Klein left the meeting at 5:33 pm.
5. STREET LIGHTING MASTER PLAN
Recommended Action: Informational Item
MINUTES: Cesar Rodriguez, Senior Civil Engineer, presented the item. The Street Lighting Master Plan is a new program for Santa Ana. Engineer Rodriguez provided background information, starting from 2020, when the City completed the acquisition of approximately 8000 street lights from SCE; and finally in 2023, when the City completed the retrofit to LED. He presented the schedule and specified the existing conditions.
Light fixtures and their selection criteria were described. For each site, lighting was examined and identified using recommended standards. Maps were created and analyzed to enhance street lighting. Crosswalks were assessed to ensure they are properly illuminated. Bus stops and their lighting levels were studied. For outreach purposes, community engagement was examined, and in-person outreach was conducted. Children as young as 10 years old participated. Evening demonstrations took place.
ETAC 3 March 10, 2026
The manner in which lighting projects are prioritized and addressed through project implementation was shared. The area of Santa Ana River and 1st Street is now using solar power for lighting. Engineer Rodriguez addressed questions from commissioners.
COMMENTS
MINUTES: Executive Director Rosas shared that Commissioner Cheney submitted her resignation.
Director Rosas encouraged commissioners to take the budget survey, which may be found online at https://www.santa-ana.org/budget
Commissioner Alvarado encouraged reaching out to elected officials to have them use their social media platforms.
Commissioner Baeza recommended creating a voucher program for SAUSD students who may not have funds to pay the entrance fees for our local Fun Run.
ADJOURNMENT: The next meeting of the Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission is scheduled for April 14, 2026. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Lorrie Ortiz
ETAC Recording Secretary
ETAC 4 March 10, 2026