City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Cultural Commission
Draft
7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
1303 Fremont Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
01/05/2026
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/82207705371
Meeting ID: 822 0770 5371
Or join by phone: 669-900-6833
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair von Huene at 7:03 p.m.
Commissioner Abinas Roy, Vice Chair Candida Diaz, Commissioner Charles Pontious, Chair Debra von Huene, and Commissioner Neetu Garg
Present 5 -
Commissioner Kuku Das, and Commissioner Louis SamaraAbsent 2 - A motion was made by Vice Chair Diaz and seconded by
Commissioner Garg to excuse Commissioner Das and
Commissioner Samara from the meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg
5 -
Absent: Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
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1. 25-1750 Action on the Cultural Commission Regular Minutes of December 1, 2025 Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2025
A motion was made by Vice Chair Diaz and seconded by
Commissioner Garg to approve the minutes from the December 1, 2025 meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 25-1751 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.
The Commission discussed Work Plan and provided updates. No action was taken.
STAFF REPORT
Manager Castro shared an opportunity for community members to join the Global Relations subcommittee that will discuss how to showcase the City of Santa Clara to the 2026 events visitors. The Commission was invited to attend the Lunar New Year celebration at 900 Lafayette on January 31 and February 1.
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COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Pontious shared that he performed at the Historic Home Tour and attended and performed at several holiday events in the area.
Commissioner Roy attended a 10 day meditation retreat.
Commissioner Garg enjoyed working on the Holiday Home Decorating Contest with the Commission subcommittee.
Vice Chair Diaz attended the City of Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department's production of the Nutcracker as well as Western Ballet's Nutcracker in Mt. View.
Chair von Huene performed in "Let There Be Light" at the Santa Clara Mission with the Santa Clara Chorale and participated in a backgammon competition.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Roy and seconded by Vice Chair Diaz to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara2 -
The next regular meeting of the Cultural Commission is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026.
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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.