City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Cultural Commission
Draft
7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
Santa Clara Senior Center
Room 205
1303 Fremont Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
10/06/2025
The City of Santa Clara is conducting the Cultural Commission meeting in a hybrid manner (in-person and a method for the public to participate remotely).
Via Zoom:
https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/98272283531
Meeting ID: 98272283531
Or join by phone: 669-900-6833
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair von Huene at 7:04 PM.
Commissioner Abinas Roy, Vice Chair Candida Diaz, Chair Debra von Huene, Commissioner Kuku Das, and Commissioner Louis Samara
Present 5 -
Commissioner Charles Pontious, and Commissioner Neetu GargAbsent 2 - A motion was made by Commission Roy and seconded by
Commissioner Das to excuse Commissioners Garg and Pontious from the meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Absent: Commissioner Pontious, and Commissioner Garg2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
10/06/2025Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
1. 25-933 Action on Cultural Commission Regular Minutes of August 4, 2025 Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2025
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Vice-Chair Diaz to approve the Commission minutes as presented from August 4, 2025.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Pontious, and Commissioner Garg2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Robert Hu addressed the Commission during Public Comment on a non-agenized item.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 25-1125 Approve Cultural Commission Calendar of Meetings for 2026 Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Commission calendar of meetings for 2026 and recommend same to City Council for approval as regular meetings of the Cultural Commission.
A motion was made by Vice-Chair Diaz and seconded by
Commissioner Samara to approve the Cultural Commission
Calendar of Meetings for 2026.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Pontious, and Commissioner Garg2 -
3. 25-1124 Discussion and Potential Action on Cultural Commission Work Plan and Activities for FY 2025/26
Recommendation: Discuss and potentially take action on the Cultural Commission work plan and activities for FY 2025/26.
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Vice-Chair Diaz to approve the Halloween Home Decorating Contest Rules and Program.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Pontious, and Commissioner Garg2 -
10/06/2025Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Recreation Manager Castro shared upcoming events and program with the Commission. The Halloween Home Decorating Contest will go live on Oct. 7 and submissions will be collected through 5pm on Oct. 27. The community is hosting a Diwali event at Live Oak Park on Oct. 23. The City will host a Dia de los Muertos community celebration at Mission City Memorial Cemetery on Oct. 24. The event will include educational talks about the traditions of Dia de los Muertos, a community ofrenda will be offered through Nov. 7 and the movie Coco will be shown on that evening.
The Santa Clara SpooktaClara Children's Halloween Party is happening in Central Park on Oct. 25 from 12-4. Staff is working towards plans for the Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 5.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Chair von Huene attended the Santa Clara Unified School District Strategic Arts Plan Breakfast last month. She gave an update on the Economic Development and Marketing Committee meetings and plans for 2026 special events. She also shared that she visited Nashville and saw a replica of the Parthenon and an art installation in San Francisco.
Commissioner Samara attended the Economic Development and Marketing Committee meeting.
Commissioner Roy attended the State of the City.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Vice-Chair Diaz to adjourn the meeting at 9:09 PM.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Pontious, and Commissioner Garg2 - The next meeting of the Cultural Commission meeting will be held on December 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM.
MEETING DISCLOSURES
10/06/2025Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Clara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities, and will ensure that all existing facilities will be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible. The City of Santa Clara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities including those with speech, hearing, or vision impairments so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities. The City of Santa Clara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.
Agendas and other written materials distributed during a public meeting that are public record will be made available by the City in an appropriate alternative format.
Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 1 408-615-2220 with your request for an alternative format copy of the agenda or other written materials.
Individuals who require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or any other disability-related modification of policies or procedures, or other accommodation, in order to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Santa Clara, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 408-615-3000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.