HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08 - Appoint Member to the Workforce Development Board Community Development Agency
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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 484308 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
Page 2
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 Nunez, City Manager
LABOR EXHIBIT 1
OJ \
v d
z OCLF a range County Labor Federation., AFL-CIO
4o o
309 N. RAMPART STREET, SUITE A • ORANGE, CALIFORNIA 92868
AFC CIO (714) 385-1534 • FAX: (714) 385-1544 • E-MAIL: info@oclabor.org
June 22, 2026
Santa Ana Workforce Development Board
801 W. Civic Center Dr., Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: SANTA ANA WDB NOMINATION FOR ALEX ZAMORA
To Whom It May Concern,
The Orange County Labor Federation, AFL-CIO would like to nominate Alex Zamora for
appointment to the Santa Ana Workforce Development Board. Mr. Zamora is currently a
business agent for Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA 652). UUNA 652
members are from many backgrounds and walks of life but come together as UUNA 652 for the
shared goal of achieving the American Dream.
Mr. Zamora is a lifelong resident of Santa Ana (42 years) and his commitment to working
families, fuels his dedication to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for residents and
ensuring a bright future for the city of Santa Ana.
The Orange County Labor Federation, AFL-CIO currently represents more than 97 unions in
Orange County who represent more than 270,000 union members in the county. We ask for
your cooperation and speedy action on this nomination.
SMe ,
C�
Gloria Alvarado
Executive Director
www . ocIabor . org
W9,.
EXHIBIT 2
Alex Zamora is a proud homeowner, Santa Ana native,and lifelong resident with more than 42 years of
deep-rooted ties to the community. He attended elementary,junior high, and high school in Santa Ana and
continues to work in the city he has long called home.
Alex serves as a Business Agent and Executive Board Member for LIUNA(Laborers'International Union of
North America) Local 652 in Santa Ana. In this role, he advocates for union members by helping negotiate
and administer collective bargaining agreements that provide family-supporting wages, quality healthcare
benefits,secure pensions, and opportunities for career advancement and economic stability.
With numerous family members and extended relatives who are homeowners throughout Santa Ana,Alex
has a strong personal investment in the community's future. His lifelong connection to the city, combined
with his commitment to working families,fuels his dedication to preserving and enhancing the quality of
life for residents and ensuring a bright future for the City of Santa Ana.