Welcome to the May City Manager's Report. I am sharing with you highlights of events and projects that staff has worked on this month. I sincerely appreciate everyone's continued hard work to benefit the Brea community.
International Council of Shopping Centers Conference
City of Brea Community Development and Management Services staff recently attended the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Conference, a premier event that brings together key leaders from the retail and commercial real estate industries. This year’s conference served as a vital opportunity for City staff to engage with developers, brokers, and property owners from across the nation, all of whom are shaping the future of commercial spaces.
During the conference, City staff held meetings with numerous companies. One major purpose of these meetings was to attract new businesses to the City of Brea. Staff showcased Brea’s thriving community, strategic location, and strong economic potential, to market the City as an attractive destination for future investments.
Staff also used this conference as an opportunity to connect with existing businesses and property owners in an effort to understand how the City can best support their retention in Brea. By fostering strong relationships with industry leaders, staff continues to build opportunities for collaboration that will enhance the City’s retail landscape and contribute to its continued success.
ICSC attracts participation from cities across Orange County and all-over Southern California. By attending alongside other cities, Brea was able to position itself within a larger network of Southern California communities, enhancing the City’s visibility and strong commitment to being a leader in regional development.
Go. Serve. Brea. 2025
During National Volunteer Month, we held a community wide service day titled Go. Serve. Brea. which had around 300 community members register to volunteer around the Brea community. Volunteers completed 17 projects throughout the city which included schools, museums, a variety of facilities, and the Tracks at Brea. This event was made possible with the help of sponsors who donated over $10,000 in monetary and in-kind support. The Special Events Division also partnered with Brea’s faith community who cooked and provided lunch for all of the volunteers.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Dwight Manley, The Cause Church, Apollo Electric, Friends Community Church, Regency Centers, Formation Church, Leaf Filter, Southlands Church, Brea Plaza Shopping Center, Brea Historical Society, Republic Services, Create-A-Party, Trader Joe’s, Communitea, Home Depot, and Titan Air Conditioning.
Fire Department & Public Works Open House
The Recycle Brea team hosted an informational booth at the annual Fire Department and Public Works Open House promoting the City’s recycling programs and notifying residents about the upcoming changes to their current waste services. Beginning July 1, 2025, residents will be able to dispose of food waste (i.e., fruit, bread, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy) and food-soiled paper (i.e., used napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes) in their current yard waste (organics) cart. The Recycle Brea team also distributed about 200 recycle baskets to event attendees as an enhancement to the City’s recycling program. Residents can find the Recycle Brea team at upcoming City events to receive their own recycle basket.
For more information on the organics recycling program, contact the Recycle Brea.
Business Spotlight
The City of Brea continues to welcome businesses to the community to help with the economic development and future of Brea. Here are two of our newest businesses that recently opened.
Zara, one of the world’s largest international fashion retailers, opened at the Brea Mall on May 29. Originating from Spain, Zara operates in over 96 countries and continues to grow. The brand offers clothing for men, women, and children, along with beauty products and home goods. Through its streamlined manufacturing and distribution model, Zara quickly responds to evolving fashion trends, ensuring clients have access to the latest styles.
Now open at the Brea Mall, Alo Yoga (Alo) is a Los Angeles-based premium lifestyle brand, specializing in luxury activewear. Founded in 2007, Alo has grown into a global leader in activewear design, recognized for its innovative, franchise-exclusive fabrics. The brand’s name, an acronym for Air, Land, and Ocean, reflects its studio-to-street philosophy with its fashion. Alo demonstrates an overall commitment to mindful movement, wellness, and community.
Remembering Tiny Tots Instructor Julie Telles
We were heartbroken to hear of the passing of a wonderful member of the City of Brea team. Julie Telles worked part-time at the Community Center since 1998 as an educator. Julie was one of a kind and known for her smile, a sparkle of tomfoolery, and always having a moment to share with families. Julie served the Brea community for 27 years through Junior Tiny Tots and various preschool-aged programs. She was an extraordinary preschool teacher with immense patience, kindness, and love. She gave many children a positive start to their educational journey. Thank you, Julie Telles, for truly impacting our community.
The Plunge
The summertime Aquatics program at the Brea Municipal Plunge is right around the corner. Aquatics staff held the third annual Plunge Open House on May 16. Many participants attended the Open House to check out the facility, ask questions, meet instructors, and take assessment tests. This event provides an opportunity to visit The Plunge for the first time or to come back for another summer of swimming. The Community Services Department hosts this event prior to registration to provide the proper assessment for individuals to sign up for the right swim class. We look forward to providing great service and swim education to the community.
Student Advisory Board
Brea’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) is comprised of committed individuals in 7th through 12th grade who want to make an impact within our community. SAB members gain experience in team building, project and goal setting, accountability, service-learning projects, and most importantly, leadership.
Each year the SAB participates in a variety of community projects such as the annual Inner Coastal Cleanup of Brea Creek event, intergenerational programs at the Brea Senior Center, and a variety of projects at the Brea Community Center. The students report out each month at the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission to update the commissioners on what is happening at the high school, the junior high school, and current projects they are working on.
On April 23, 2025, the SAB gave their last report of the school year and were acknowledged by the commission for all of their hard work. Congratulations to those serving on the 2024/2025 Student Advisory Board: Dara Aung-Pfingsten; Joe Ryan Thomas Babu; Matthew Bermudez; Sean Chen; Ryden Chua; Allison Chun; Kaitlyn Chung; Ethan Cruz; Presley Dang; Phoebe Dang; Sanana Desai; Shraya Desai; Abigail Gaeta; Faith George; Sophia Ho; Michael Jang; Madison Johnston; Raina Kim; Reena Kim; Preston Ko; Cara Lam; Olivia Lee; Atticus Leung; Alythea Leung; Josephine Liao; Owen Magdaleno; Cara Man; Ellie-May Martin; Eliana Myung; Joanna Myung; Madeline Na; James Ng; Jacquelin Ng; Kaitlyn Nguyen; Joohan Pack; Jasmin Layla Patel; Madison Siemsen; Junseo Song; Alexa Tam; and Marcus Tran.
We look forward to the 2025/2026 Student Advisory Board which will begin in the fall of 2025.
Made in California 40th Anniversary
Last month, the Brea Gallery celebrated its 40th Annual Made in California Juried Exhibition. The opening reception allowed the community to celebrate contemporary artists and connect with their stories. Thanks to the Brea Gallery’s partners who contributed to the experience: MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center provided a free art craft making California poppies; Blick Art Supplies Fullerton handed out art gifts and marketing materials; Maison Fox Natural Wine Shop provided bar services and a selection of exclusive wines; event catering was provided by Embassy Suites Brea; and Alvaro Carmena Black, Teddy Bang, Alex Meehan, Quentin Marshall Purviance, and Isaiah Harwood provided jazz music for the evening. In addition, Austin Bauman and Ryella Zar Photography captured the night’s festivities.
On Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, June 1, Fresh{AIR}, the Brea Gallery’s artist-in-residence program, returns with four talented artists: Jada Fonseca (3D and sculptural design), Lex Harvey (mixed media painting), José M. Loza (printmaking), and April Bedard (illustration). These four artists will be working and creating in the gallery space, offering a unique opportunity for guests to observe and engage to learn more about the creative process. The event and admission, is free to attend.
The Brea Gallery thanks everyone for their continued support and looks forward to welcoming visitors to see the Made in California exhibit through June 29. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Welcoming Regina to the Team
The Community Development Department welcomed Regina Mendoza as their newest Executive Assistant. Regina brings a diverse background in public service, having held supporting roles in municipal governments, federal agencies, and academic institutions. Most recently, she served as a representative for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Regina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community and Reginal Development from the University of California, Davis. Outside of work, Regina enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her family.
With her broad experience and commitment to public service, Regina is a valuable addition to the team. The department is excited to welcome her and looks forward to her contributions to the City of Brea’s continued success.
Republic Services Recycling Center
The Recycle Brea team toured Republic Services’ Anaheim Recycling Center (CVT), which reopened in spring 2025 and serves 26 municipalities, which includes around 442,000 homes. This 280,000 square foot facility was rebuilt with twice as much capacity and processes 185,000+ tons of recyclable material every year. An estimated 83,000 bales of recyclable materials are produced per year, which is around 1,600 bales a week.