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
03/02/2026
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 Vice Chair Diaz at 7:01 p.m.
Commissioner Abinas Roy, Vice Chair Candida Diaz, Commissioner Charles Pontious, Commissioner Kuku Das, and Commissioner Louis Samara
Present 5 -
Chair Debra von Huene, and Commissioner Neetu GargAbsent 2 - A motion was made by Commissioner Roy and seconded by
Commissioner Das to excuse Chair Von Huene and Commissioner Garg from the meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Absent: Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. 26-159 Action on the Cultural Commission Regular Minutes of February 2, 2026 A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Commissioner Roy to approve the minutes from the February 2, 2026 meeting.
03/02/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Robbin Kawabata addressed the Commission during Public Comment on a non-agendized item. She proposed adding Japanese American - Day of Remembrance, Feb. 19, to the Commission's Commemorative Months & Cultural Celebration's dates.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 26-212 Discussion and Potential Action to Make a Recommendation to City Council to Join Make Music Alliance to Promote “Make Music Day” in Santa Clara
Aaron Friedman, Executive Director of Make Music Alliance presented on "Make Music Day" to the Commission.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious to recommend City Council support "Make Music Day" in Santa Clara, and was seconded by Commissioner Das.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg2 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious and seconded by Commissioner Das for the Cultural Commission to fund the $350 annual fee required to join the Make Music Alliance.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg2 -
3. 26-169 Discussion and Potential Action on Cultural Commission Work Plan and Activities for FY 2025/26
The Commission added Japanese American - Day of Remembrance, Feb. 19, to the Commemorative Months calendar.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious and seconded by Commissioner Das to add Make Music Day as an activity under Goal #2 of the Cultural Commission Work Plan and Activities for FY 2025/26.
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Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg2 -
STAFF REPORT
Recreation Supervisor Shaddle shared some upcoming events; Asian American Stories, an event partnership with the Santa Clara Library, Silicon Valley Community Media and DingDing TV will take place May 9, 3-9 p.m., Showtime, an annual fundraiser put on by the Santa Clara Women's League, which raises money for the Health & Wellness Program at the Santa Clara Senior Center, taking place March 6-8 at the Community Recreation Center; and Roberta Jones Junior Theatre's production of Matilda, opening March 20.
Manager Castro discussed Commissioners attending the Americans for the Arts Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 2-5, 2026 and the updated guidelines for commissioners attending conferences and training events.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Vice Chair Diaz visited Spokane, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and was impressed by the amount of public art in both cities, including many statues, murals and screen printed and wrapped utility boxes.
Commissioner Das attended the Celebrate Santa Clara: A Day on the Field event at Levi's Stadium and enjoyed all the music.
Commissioner Samara attended the Celebrate Santa Clara: A Day on the Field event.
Commissioner Pontious attended the Superbowl at Levi's Stadium.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. and was seconded by Commissioner Samara.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
5 -
Excused: Chair von Huene, and Commissioner Garg2 -
03/02/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
The next regular meeting of the Cultural Commission will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026.
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.