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PFN No. 2025-02 for Jose Vargas PAAL Center (2627 W McFadden Avenue) September 8, 2025 Page 2 3 7 3 1 members, board or commission members, officers or employees of the city, but not anyone who currently holds any such position.” Jose Vargas (1936–2013) was a trailblazing law enforcement officer and community leader whose career spanned over three decades in Orange County. Born in San Martin Hidalgo, Mexico, Vargas immigrated to the United States at age 15, working as a garbage collector while learning English and eventually becoming a United States citizen in 1969. He began his law enforcement career with the Stanton Police Department and, in 1975, joined the Santa Ana Police Department, becoming the department’s first Hispanic Affairs Officer. In this role, Vargas was the cornerstone of Santa Ana’s early community policing program, forging deep trust between the department and the city’s growing Latino population. He was recognized nationally by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as one of the country’s outstanding officers. Vargas’ impact extended beyond his police work. Following his retirement in 1997, he hosted the Spanish-language cable show “Que Pasa Con Jose Vargas”, which provided vital information to immigrant families on civil rights, public safety, domestic violence prevention, and job opportunities. Throughout his life, Vargas championed respect, understanding, and opportunity for all residents, often taking in individuals in need and mentoring countless youth. His dedication to bridging cultures and promoting public trust made him one of the most respected figures in Santa Ana’s history. Renaming of the PAAL Center as the Jose Vargas PAAL Center would recognize a person who made a distinct, significant contribution to the well-being of the City, in accordance with the guidelines contained at Section 33-6(c)(4). ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the naming of a public facility will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, as there is no possibility it will have a significant effect on the environment and is not a “project,” as defined in section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Furthermore, the action falls within the “common sense” CEQA exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), excluding projects where “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” FISCAL IMPACT These is no fiscal impact associated with this action.