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PFN No. 2025-02 for Jose Vargas PAAL Center (2627 W. McFadden Avenue) <br /> October 7, 2025 <br /> Page 2 <br /> (3) A name which identifies a person or family which made an extraordinary <br /> donation of land or funds to promote the construction or improvement of the <br /> subject public facility. <br /> (4) A name which recognizes a person or family who made a distinct, significant <br /> contribution to the well-being of the city, including past mayors, council <br /> members, board or commission members, officers or employees of the city, <br /> but not anyone who currently holds any such position." <br /> Further, Section 33-8 provides that the City Council may affirm the Planning <br /> Commission's decision, remand the matter back to the Planning Commission for further <br /> consideration, or make its own decision on the matter. <br /> With respect to the naming approved by the Planning Commission, Jose Vargas (1936- <br /> 2013) was a trailblazing law enforcement officer and community leader whose career <br /> spanned over three decades in Orange County. Born in San Martin Hidalgo, Mexico, <br /> Vargas immigrated to the United States at age 15, working as a garbage collector while <br /> learning English and eventually becoming a United States citizen in 1969. <br /> He began his law enforcement career with the Stanton Police Department and, in 1975, <br /> joined the Santa Ana Police Department, becoming the department's first Hispanic Affairs <br /> Officer. In this role, Vargas was the cornerstone of Santa Ana's early community policing <br /> program, forging deep trust between the department and the city's growing Latino <br /> population. He was recognized nationally by the International Association of Chiefs of <br /> Police as one of the country's outstanding officers. <br /> Vargas' impact extended beyond his police work. Following his retirement in 1997, he <br /> hosted the Spanish-language cable show "Que Pasa Con Jose Vargas", which provided <br /> vital information to immigrant families on civil rights, public safety, domestic violence <br /> prevention, and job opportunities. <br /> Throughout his life, Vargas championed respect, understanding, and opportunity for all <br /> residents, often taking in individuals in need and mentoring countless youth. His <br /> dedication to bridging cultures and promoting public trust made him one of the most <br /> respected figures in Santa Ana's history. <br /> Naming of the PAAL Center as the Jose Vargas PAAL Center would recognize a person <br /> who made a distinct, significant contribution to the well-being of the City, in accordance <br /> with the guidelines contained at Section 33-6(c)(4). <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br /> This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to <br /> sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the naming <br /> of a public facility will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical <br /> change in the environment, as there is no possibility it will have a significant effect on the <br /> environment and is not a "project," as defined in section 15378 of the State CEQA <br /> Guidelines. Furthermore, the action falls within the "common sense" CEQA exemption <br />