MINUTES
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER, ROTARY ROOM, 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805
March 17, 2022
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Karen Uyematsu, Vice Chair Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager Alejandrina Arellano Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager Kristen Maahs JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Robert Sanchez Eleanor Granflor, Senior Secretary
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
William Camargo, Chair
Melahat Rafiei
A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N
1. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Uyematsu called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Sanchez.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
4. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager, reported a new basketball court will be installed at Pearson Park in honor of Kobe and Gigi Bryant. The city is working with two consultants for this project: one consultant for the installation of the basketball court and one consultant for the installation of a public art piece. JJ Jimenez introduced Brian Peterson, the art consultant who provided an overview of the art sculpture that will be installed adjacent to the new basketball court. Questions were answered regarding funding, materials for the art piece, the artist selection process, and the project timeline.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Vice Chair Uyematsu presented the November 18, 2021 minutes to the Commissioners for changes or corrections. Commissioner Maahs made a motion to approve the November 18, 2021 minutes, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez. There were four votes in favor to approve the minutes; Vice Chair Uyematsu accepted the minutes.
6. SUB-COMMITTEES:
a) Center Gallery: Commissioner Arellano reported the Center Gallery has re-opened and encouraged the Commissioners to visit the gallery. Anaheim Sporn reported a few applications were received for 2023 as the remainder of 2022 has already been scheduled.
b) Public Art Program: This item will be tabled until next month.
c) Poet Laureate: Anaheim Sporn reported the sub-committee reviewed the applications and a panel completed interviews on February 10, 2022. The selected Poet Laureate is Wendy Van Camp, who is an Author and Poet who resides in Anaheim. Anaheim Sporn provided a short biography about Wendy Van Camp. Commissioner Sanchez made a motion for the Commission to move forward with the selection of Wendy Van Camp to be the City’s Poet Laureate, seconded by Commissioner Arellano. The motion was approved with four votes in favor; Vice Chair Uyematsu accepted the motion.
d) Heritage: Jane Newell reported staff is waiting on documentation for the environmental review for the Carnegie Library restoration project and staff is looking into additional funding for the project. A consultant, Thirtieth Street Architects, will begin on the bid proposal paperwork.
Questions were answered regarding the Heritage Marker project.
Cultural and Heritage Commission
3/17/22
A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N
e) Culture: Commissioner Sanchez reported the sub-committee will be planning a town hall style meeting with residents to figure out what kind of events the community would like to have in the future. Commissioner Maahs reported the idea of having a Hi Neighbor Day to show connection through culture with music, food and art culture. Commissioner Sanchez also reported he will be meeting with Council Member Faessel about events that took place in the past as well as different community groups.
7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
Jane Newell reported the following:
• Mother Colony House celebrated its 165th Birthday and accepted a Proclamation from the City Council. • Jane Newell shared information regarding the annual Mystery Authors Luncheon and Silent Auction that will be held on April 24th.
• Founders’ Park Open House tour information.
8. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chair Uyematsu adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.