City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Youth Commission
Draft
6:00 PM Youth & Teen Center
2446 Cabrillo Ave. Santa Clara, CA 95051
02/10/2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
This meeting was called to order by Chair Martin at 6:03 p.m.
Commissioner Allysa Domensino, 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, Commissioner Samarth Suresh, and Commissioner Niharika Uppalapati
Present 13 -
Commissioner Mateo Espinal, and Commissioner Seoyun ChongAbsent 2 - A motion was made by Commissioner Israni, seconded by
Commissioner Vemu to excuse Commissioner Chong and
Commissioner Espinal from the February 10, 2026 meeting. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and Commissioner Uppalapati
13 -
Absent: Commissioner Espinal, and Commissioner Chong2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
26-82 Action to Approve the Youth Commission Minutes of the January 13, 2026 Meeting
Recommendation:
Approve the Youth Commission Minutes of the January 13, 2026 Meeting A motion was made by Commissioner Gaidhani, seconded by Commissioner Arias Hernandez that this item by recommended for approval. This motion was carried by the following vote:
02/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and Commissioner Uppalapati
13 -
Excused: Commissioner Espinal, and Commissioner Chong2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Tabitha Kappeler-Hurley discussed the upcoming American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Santa Clara. The event takes place on May 2, 2026 from 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Franklin Mall. This fundraising event celebrates survivors remembers loved ones and prevention information is shared. Commissioners were also informed on the various ways community members can support the event.
Marlon Aumentado, City Staff, Public Works Street Division, talked about the SV Hopper which is a grant subsidized, ride share program. SV Hopper operates Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in Cupertino, Santa Clara and San Jose.
Commissioners were informed that Phase 2 is coming in July.
GENERAL BUSINESS
26-83 Discuss and Take Action on Youth Commission FY 2025/26 Work Plan & Goals
Discuss and take action on the activities and efforts in support of the Youth Commission’s Work Plan & Goals for FY 2025/26.
At the February 10, 2026 meeting, the Youth Commission continued discussions regarding its work plan priorities and goals for the FY 2025/26 term.
The Community Building Committee continues their preparations for the SC Hacks hackathon by finalizing the event flyer and registration forms. They are still updating event materials and have discussed securing event sponsors. The committee plans to open registration on February 21, 2026.
The Youth Empowerment Committee discussed logistics for their video "What Can You Do with a Library Card?" and has plans to start filming soon.
The Civic Engagement Committee is working on hosting a NARCAN demonstration and continues their work on the Welcome Package by creating a promotional flyer.
Recommendation:
02/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT Lorena Romero, Librarian - Youth Services, shared information about STEM Zone, an event that will take place on April 19, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The Library Card Design Contest is now closed and staff are reviewing the designs and will vote on the top five.
Jon Kawada, Recreation Coordinator, informed Commissioners that the 2026/2027 Youth Commission term application is available. The deadline to submit applications is March 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. and applications can be emailed, mailed or dropped off at the Youth & Teen Center. There will be an informational session at the Youth & Teen Center on February 25, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Israni had the opportunity to participate in the MLK Jr. Day choral reading of "I Have a Dream", hosted by City of Santa Clara Public Library. Commissioner Israni shared her experience meeting City officials and residents from various walks of life. She also attended the Super Bowl Flag Raising Ceremony with fellow Commissioner Madriaga, where they met NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and the Bay Area Host Committee CEO.
Commissioner Gaidhani talked about the Welcome Party for the Sister Cities exchange high school students from Izumo, Japan on January 24.
Sister Cities is looking for host families for middle school exchange students from March 26 - April 1, 2026. Applications are open for Santa Clara students to travel to Izumo, Japan this summer. Interested applicants are highly encouraged to attend an upcoming Sister Cities meeting. The next meeting is on February 11, 2026.
Commissioner Domensino attended a recent Santa Clara Unified School District Superintendent Student Council meeting. Discussions took place regarding the impact of upcoming budget considerations. 02/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Mehta, seconded by Commissioner Vemu that this meeting be adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, Commissioner Rong, Commissioner Suresh, and Commissioner Uppalapati
13 -
Excused: Commissioner Espinal, and Commissioner Chong2 -
02/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
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.