Arts and Culture Commission 4 7/17/2025
Arts and Culture Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2025
CALL TO ORDER Chairperson
Commission members present:
Joese Hernandez
Miguel Ochoa
Darlene Peña-Marin
Indigo Vu
Commission member absent:
Susie Lopez-Guerra
Debra Russell
Staff members present:
Marc Morley, Economic Development Manager
Tram Le, Arts and Culture Specialist
Bianca Zurita, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
PRESENTATION
1. Powers, Duties & Responsibilities
Presented by City Attorney’s Office Staff
Minutes: Andrea Garcia-Miller, Assistant City Attorney provided the training
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
2. Excused absences
Recommended Action: Excuse absent commission member(s).
Arts and Culture Commission 4 7/17/2025
Moved by Commissioner Hernandez, seconded by Commissioner Peña- Marin to Approve Consent Calendar items.
YES: 4 – Indigo Vu, Joese Hernandez, Miguel Ochoa, Marlene Peña-Marin NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 2 – Debra Russell, Susie Lopez-Guerra Status: 4 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
BUSINESS CALENDAR
3. Election of Officers for the Arts and Culture Commission for the FY 2025-2026 Term
Recommended Action: Elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for the Arts and Culture Commission to serve for the FY 2025-2026 term.
Moved by Commissioner Hernandez, seconded by Commissioner Peña- Marin to Approve.
YES: 4 – NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – Indigo Vu, Joese Hernandez, Miguel Ochoa, Marlene Peña-Marin
ABSENT: 2 – Debra Russell, Susie Lopez-Guerra
Status: 4 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
Minutes: Commissioner Hernandez nominated Commissioner Vu to serve another term as Chair, and Commissioner Vu accepted the nomination. Chair Vu then nominated Vice-Chair Hernandez to continue in the role of Vice-Chair for another year, with the nomination seconded by Commissioner Peña-Marin.
Item No. 4 on today’s agenda was removed, and no further action was required on this matter.
At the June 19th Arts and Culture Commission meeting, the Commission voted 3- 1 to approve the Sahuayo Sister City mural ranking list and the selection of artists. However, due to some uncertainty regarding the validity of the vote in relation to quorum requirements, it was requested that the item be continued to tonight’s meeting for clarification.
After consulting with the City Attorney’s Office, it has been confirmed that, in accordance with the Commission’s bylaws and Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, a motion passes with a majority of those present and voting. As there were four
Arts and Culture Commission 4 7/17/2025
4. commissioners present and the item received a 3-1 vote, the action taken at the June meeting to approve the Sahuayo Sister City mural ranking list and the selection of artists stands as valid and final.
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. ***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR***
WORK STUDY SESSION
5. Discussion of theme for 2025-2026 Investing in the Artist Grant Program Minutes: Tram Le and the Commission discussed the theme for next year’s Artist Grant Program.
Various themes were suggested by the Commissioners. There was a consensus that the theme revolve around the idea of “migration.”
Chair Vu proposed the formation of an ad hoc committee to review the equity in future RFPs, composed of Commissioners Ochoa and Hernandez.
6. Discussion of Funding Priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Minutes: Chair Vu discussed the matter
Tram Le presented previously discussed ideas, including continuing the sponsorship program for artists—open to both individuals and art organizations.
The second idea was to offer a resource workshop focused on grant writing for artists.
The Commission engaged in Q & A period.
Chair Vu proposed the formation of an ad hoc sub-committee composed of Commissioners Vu and Peña-Marin.
***END OF WORK STUDY SESSION***
Arts and Culture Commission 4 7/17/2025
COMMENTS
7. Staff member comments
Minutes: Tram Le – provided an update on the mural restoration program, noting that it is moving forward and currently awaiting the recipient’s submission of vendor forms. The deadline to submit all vendor forms is the end of July.
8. Commission member comments
Minutes:
• Commissioner Hernandez – Congratulations and welcome to Commissioner Peña-Marin. It's great to hear that the Sahuayo mural is progressing. Efforts to engage the community and ensure alignment with the goals of the art programs are appreciated.
• Commissioner Vu – Extended a warm welcome to the new commissioner. The upcoming priority is to ensure that funding is allocated and managed appropriately. There will also be continued advocacy for increasing office staff capacity.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission is scheduled for August 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber.