Arts and Culture Commission 5 6/19/2025
Arts and Culture Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
June 19, 2025
CALL TO ORDER Chairperson
Commission members present:
Joese Hernandez
Miguel Ochoa
Debra Russell
Indigo Vu
Commission member absent:
Susie Lopez-Guerra
Staff members present:
Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director
Marc Morley, Economic Development Manager
Tram Le, Arts and Culture Specialist
Bianca Zurita, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Minutes: Gay Olivos – Voiced concerns about the zoning changes.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
1. Excused absences
Recommended Action: Excuse absent commission member(s).
2. Regular meeting minutes of April 17, 2025
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
Arts and Culture Commission 5 6/19/2025
Moved by Commissioner Hernandez, seconded by Commissioner Russell to Approve Consent Calendar items.
YES: 4 – Debra Russell, Indigo Vu, Joese Hernandez, Miguel Ochoa NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 1 – Susie Lopez-Guerra
Status: 4 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
PRESENTATION
3. Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Presentation – Facilitated by the Planning and Building Department staff
Minutes: Siri Champion conducted the presentation.
Commission engaged in a Q & A session.
***END OF PRESENTATION***
BUSINESS CALENDAR
4. Approval of Sahuayo Sister City Mural Ranking List and Selection of Artists Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Commission approve the ranking list for Sahuayo Sister City Mural project and recommend that the City Manager execute agreements with two (2) artists.
Moved by Commissioner Hernandez, seconded by Commissioner Ochoa to Approve.
YES: 3 – Indigo Vu, Joese Hernandez, Miguel Ochoa
NO: 1 – Debra Russell ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 1 – Susie Lopez-Guerra Status: 3 – 1 – 0 – 1 – Pass - NO
Minutes: Chair Vu made a motion to carry the item over to the next meeting for additional discussion and approval.
5. Approval of Mural Restoration Ranking List
Arts and Culture Commission 5 6/19/2025
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Commission approve the ranking list for the RestorArt: Mural Restoration & Conservation Pilot Program
Minutes: Tram Le provided presentation.
Commission engaged in a Q & A session.
Moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Hernandez to Approve.
YES: 4 – Debra Russell, Indigo Vu, Joese Hernandez, Miguel Ochoa NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 1 – Susie Lopez-Guerra
Status: 4 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass
***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR***
WORK STUDY SESSION
6. Preliminary Discussion of Funding Priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Minutes:
• Commissioner Hernandez – strongly supports event sponsorships and is particularly passionate about ensuring artists who have never previously received any type of funding are encouraged to apply for these opportunities.
The goal is to make the process accessible and welcoming to emerging or underrepresented artists who may not have benefited from financial support in the past.
• Commissioner Vu – the goal is to expand event sponsorships to support a wider range of projects and structure it more as a sponsorship than a grant, ensuring it’s accessible to every artist in the city.
• Commissioner Russell – noticed disparities in previous sponsorships and wants to ensure that large organizations do not overshadow small local events, promoting more opportunities for artists to participate and receive funding.
***END OF WORK STUDY SESSION***
Arts and Culture Commission 5 6/19/2025
COMMENTS
7. Staff member comments – None
8. Commission member comments
Minutes:
• Commissioner Hernandez – Thanked the Commission for their input, recognizing that all members are committed to the city’s best interests. The community has faced significant challenges recently, so it’s vital to look out for them and offer help whenever we can.
• Commissioner Russell – Hopeful that the mural space will tell a meaningful story. Challenges the city to take on future art projects that highlight a new artistic genre each year and encourages leaders to support this vision. • Commissioner Vu – In light of the difficult events occurring nationwide, it's understandable that many are feeling affected. But we move forward, not by ignoring what’s happening, but by choosing to create, to organize, and to stay involved. It’s up to us to shape the path ahead, and art is one way we can do that together.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission is scheduled for July 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber.