City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Youth Commission
Draft
6:00 PM Youth & Teen Center01/13/2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
This meeting was called to order by Commissioner Martin at 6:03 p.m.
Commissioner Allysa Domensino, Commissioner Mateo Espinal, Commissioner Seoyun Chong, Commissioner Namita Gaidhani, Commissioner Srikha Gopisetti, Commissioner Julianna Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Neha Israni, Commissioner Drew
Madriaga, Commissioner Rebecca Kunze, Commissioner Malia Martin, Commissioner Samaira Mehta, Commissioner Aneesha Vemu, Commissioner Brian Rong, and Commissioner Niharika Uppalapati
Present 14 -
Commissioner Samarth SureshAbsent 1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Vemu, seconded by
Commissioner Madriaga to excuse Commissioner Suresh from the January 13, 2026 meeting. The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Gopisetti,
Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin,
Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
14 -
Absent: Commissioner Suresh1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
01/13/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
1. 25-1736 Action to Approve the Youth Commission Minutes of the December 9, 2025 Meeting
Amend with the following changes to the December 9, 2025 minutes: in the Commissioner's report, correct the spelling of Commissioner Gaidhani and correct the date of January 25 to January 24, 2026.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gaidhani seconded by
Commissioner Israni to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Gopisetti,
Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin,
Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
14 -
Excused: Commissioner Suresh1 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
01/13/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 25-1738 Discuss and Take Action on Youth Commission FY 2025/26 Work Plan & Goals
At the January 13th meeting, the Youth Commission continued discussions regarding its work plan priorities and goals for the FY 2025/26 term.
Commissioners developed mission statements for each committee to align with their work plan goals.
1. The Community Building Committee aims to foster a culture of inclusion, belonging, and connection among the Santa Clara youth through bonding events and collaborative opportunities. On Friday, January 16, the Commissioners will be partnering with the Youth and Teen Center’s "Kids Rock" event to record the debut interviews for their “We Are Santa Clara” Instagram series. Simultaneously, preparations for the SC Hacks hackathon event are moving forward with the completion of promotional flyers and sponsorship blurbs. The team plans to finalize the event's theme shortly to begin official outreach to schools and corporate sponsors. Their goal is to have all registration and sponsorship information distributed within the next few weeks.
2. The Youth Empowerment Committee seeks to empower Santa Clara youth through various projects, including panels highlighting local voices and activities that create opportunities for community service. The committee has finalized the script for the upcoming project, "What Can You Do with a Library Card?" Committee contacted the City’s Teen Library Videos team, and the group collaborated on promoting the Teen Library Card Design Competition.
3. The Civic Engagement Committee seeks to facilitate community outreach and education while providing better accessibility to city resources. Its goal is to broaden the awareness of Santa Clara’s youth by highlighting essential services and information. The committee has developed a draft Spanish version of the "Welcome Resident" packet and a Canva flyer, alongside a strategy for broader promotion. Youth Services Librarian Lorena Romero provided guidance on the specific protocols required for the library to host and post these materials. With these resources finalized, the team is shifting its primary focus toward the upcoming Narcan demonstration event.
01/13/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Lorena Romero, Youth Services Librarian, reported on upcoming events and resources for teens. Highlights include the Library Card Design Contest, a STEM Zone event on April 19th, and an upcoming Comic-Con event on October 10th.
Gayle Ichiho, Recreation Supervisor, followed up on several items previously emailed to the Commission: the CPRS YTRS scholarship application; the upcoming YTRS conference, "YAC Attack," on March 7th; and the MLK Jr. Choral Reading taking place January 14th in the Central Library’s Redwood Room (interested participants should contact Rachel Schmidt). Additionally, she shared an invitation to the Super Bowl Flag Raising ceremony at Levi’s Stadium on January 22nd.
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COMMISSIONERS REPORT
On December 12, 2025, during Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens’ Holiday Open House, Commissioner Israni met with Delia, a representative from Santa Clara County Social Services (SCCSS), to discuss urgent updates regarding healthcare access. The conversation highlighted important information and a critical upcoming deadline for undocumented individuals, including minors, who are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal.
Commissioner Gopisetti is collaborating with the Santa Clara Schools Foundation to launch a financial literacy workshop series tailored for elementary-aged students in Title 1 after-school programs within the SCUSD. The initiative involves interactive activities and storytelling to teach foundational financial skills. She is currently seeking fellow commissioners to volunteer for these sessions to assist with reading and student engagement.
Commissioner Madriaga reported on the successful Wilcox High School annual toy drive, which was relocated this year to Buchser Middle School to better serve a higher-need student population; the event ensured every participating child received two gifts. Additionally, student leaders from Santa Clara, Macdonald, and Wilcox High Schools met during the winter break to plan the "Battle of the Schools" scheduled for Friday, April 10 at the Santa Clara High School main gym.
Commissioner Arias Hernandez has co-founded a new student advocacy group focused on increasing student representation and influence within the school district. The group has been actively collaborating with district officials to draft and revise formal board policies.
Their next steps involve a high-level meeting with the Superintendent to further integrate student perspectives into district governance.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Israni and seconded by Commissioner Gopisetti to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Gopisetti,
Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin,
Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
14 -
Excused: Commissioner Suresh1 -
01/13/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
MEETING DISCLOSURES
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