City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Youth Commission
Draft
6:00 PM Youth & Teen Center
2446 Cabrillo Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95051
10/14/2025
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
This meeting was called to order by Recreation Supervisor, Gayle Ichiho at 6:08 p.m.
Commissioner Mateo Espinal, Commissioner Seoyun Chong,
Commissioner Namita Gaidhani, Commissioner Julianna Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Neha Israni, Commissioner Drew
Madriaga, Commissioner Rebecca Kunze, Commissioner Malia Martin, Commissioner Brian Rong, Commissioner Samarth Suresh, and Commissioner Niharika Uppalapati
Present 11 -
Commissioner Allysa Domensino, Commissioner Srikha Gopisetti, Commissioner Samaira Mehta, and Commissioner Aneesha Vemu Absent 4 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Gaidhani, seconded by Commissioner Martin to excuse Commissioner Mehta,
Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, and
Commissioner Vemu from the October 14th meeting. The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and
Commissioner Uppalapati
11 -
Absent: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu
4 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
25-1114 Elect a Chair and Vice Chair for the FY 2025/26 Youth Commission Term A motion was made by Commissioner Espinal, seconded by
Commission Arias Hernandez, to elect Commissioner Martin for the Chair position, Commissioner Gaidhani for Vice Chair position. The motion was carried by the following votes:
10/14/2025Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
Aye: Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and
Commissioner Uppalapati
11 -
Excused: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu
4 -
25-1100 Action to Approve Youth Commission Minutes of September 16, 2025 Meeting
A motion was made by Commissioner Chong seconded by
Commissioner Espinal to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and
Commissioner Uppalapati
11 -
Excused: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu
4 -
25-1115 Adopt Youth Commission Calendar of Meetings for 2026 A motion was made by Commissioner Madriaga seconded by
Commissioner Arias Hernandez that this item be recommended for approval. The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and
Commissioner Uppalapati
11 -
Excused: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu
4 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
25-1118 Discuss and Take Action on Youth Commission FY 2025/26 Work Plan & Goals
Commissioners prioritized three themes for the FY2025/26 Work Plan:
Youth Empowerment, Community Building, and Civic Engagement. The
10/14/2025Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
first committee meetings took place on October 14th after our monthly meeting at the Youth & Teen Center. Each committee will discuss specific goals and activities to promote their respective theme.
A motion was made by Commissioner Upplapati seconded by Commissioner Rong that this item be recommended for approval.
The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and
Commissioner Uppalapati
11 -
Excused: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu
4 -
STAFF REPORT
Gayle Ichiho, Recreation Supervisor , announced that the Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting a Children's Halloween Party on Saturday, October 25th at Central Park from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. This free event is designed for children ages 10 and under and their families.The party will feature food trucks, carnival games, Trick or Treat Row, inflatable attractions, a petting zoo, pumpkin walk, and live entertainment. We are currently recruiting high school volunteers to assist with event operations and activity stations. Volunteers are essential to successfully executing this community event.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Israni attended the State of the City event and talked about the opportunities to volunteer for the Superbowl and FIFA World Cup events coming to Santa Clara in 2026. Commissioner Gaidhani attended an education town hall meeting at Cupertino High School for Congressman Ro Khanna. Learned about how local representatives act and address local public concerns in Congress and heard about current Congressional projects. Commissioner Madriaga recognized a fellow student from Wilcox High School, Isaiah Mendoza, passed away on September 20, 2025. Wilcox High school hosted a candlelight vigil on campus for him and his family.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Kunze and seconded by Commissioner Arias Hernandez to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
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The next scheduled meeting of the Youth Commission on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and
Commissioner Uppalapati
11 -
Excused: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu
4 -
MEETING DISCLOSURES
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.