Youth Commission 1 4/20/2026
Youth Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2026
City Hall Council Chambers
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
6:00 PM
Youth Commission 2 4/20/2026
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 6:00 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.
PRESENTATIONS Budget Presentation
MINUTES: Finance and Management Services Assistant Director Shannon McCarron presented the Budget Presentation to the Youth Commission.
Chairperson Malfavon supported how they currently are engaging people and offered some suggestions on engaging with teens.
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Vice Chair Benitez asked if the budget survey is advertised on social media. Assistant Director McCarron said yes, they get a lot on input from social media. She also asked about the decrease in budget.
Youth Commission Member Luis raised concerns about the General Fund and asked what the most funded department in the city was. Assistant Director McCarron responded that Public Safety is the most funded department.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MINUTES: There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MINUTES: At 6:22 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered.
MOTION: Vice Chair Benitez moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2, seconded by Youth Commissioner Muñoz.
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 Regular Meeting of March 16, 2026.
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
2. Excuse Absences.
Recommended Action: Approve excused absences.
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
4. Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott requested to have Item 4 the Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report present first. Chair Malfavon approved.
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Library Services Director Brian Sternberg presented the Santa Ana Public Library Staff Report.
Chair Malfavon asked about the reservation system at the library and about things that are on hold or wait listed. Director Sternberg responded with more information.
Vice Chair Benitez asked about budget for digital items verses physical books in the Library. Director Sternberg responded.
Youth Commissioner Rodriguez asked about seeing the data for items in the Library. Director Sternberg responded that he can provide any specific data they would like to see from the Libraries Database.
3. Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott presented the Santa Ana Zoo Staff Report.
Chair Malfavon asked about the Eco Center animal’s rotation. Executive Director Scott responded that the animals there will most likely stay, but they could be changed in the future.
Youth Commissioner Rodriguez asked about the start/finish date of the wall project for the Zoo.
***END OF INFORMATIONAL ITEMS***
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
MINUTES: Executive Director Hawk Scott thanked those that attended the Arbor Day event planting 21 trees this year and mentioned the summer programs coming up, and is excited about the life guarding team youth involvement.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES: Youth Commissioner Luis thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and hopes to see everyone at future events and meetings.
Youth Commission Member Munoz thanked everyone for the information today, mentioned that his family will be at the May 17th Resident day at the Zoo and is going to try the life guard program.
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Youth Commissioner Rodriguez thanked everyone for presenting today, for the valuable information and hopes to see everyone at the next meeting.
Vice Chairperson Benitez thanked everyone for coming to the meeting, and knows the budgeting at the city is very important so she plans to look into that more.
Chairperson Malfavon thanked everyone for the information and for the meeting, and talked about the good turnout for the Santa Ana Fun Run.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Youth Commission is scheduled for Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Albert D. Salgado Recreation Center, 706 N Newhope St, Santa Ana, CA 92704.
MINUTES: Chairperson Malfavon adjourned the Youth Commission meeting at 6:51 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
_________________________
Hannah Wayne
Recording Secretary