City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Youth Commission
Draft
6:00 PM Youth & Teen Center
2446 Cabrillo Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95051
03/10/2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
This meeting was called to order Chair Martin at 6:04 p.m.
Commissioner Allysa Domensino, Commissioner Mateo Espinal, Commissioner Seoyun Chong, Commissioner Namita Gaidhani, Commissioner Julianna Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Neha Israni, Commissioner Drew Madriaga, Commissioner Malia Martin,
Commissioner Brian Rong, and Commissioner Niharika Uppalapati Present 10 -
Commissioner Srikha Gopisetti, Commissioner Rebecca Kunze, Commissioner Samaira Mehta, Commissioner Aneesha Vemu, and Commissioner Samarth Suresh
Absent 5 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Gaidhani, seconded by Commissioner Israni to excuse Commissioner Suresh,
Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Mehta, and Commissioner Vemu from the March 10,2026 meeting.
The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
10 -
Absent: Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, and Commissioner Suresh
5 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. 26-213 Action to Approve the Youth Commission Minutes of the February 10, 2026 Meeting
A motion was made by Commissioner Chong, seconded by
Commissioner Domensino to approve the minutes as presented.
The motion was carried by the following votes:
03/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
10 -
Excused: Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, and Commissioner Suresh
5 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 26-214 Discuss and Take Action on Youth Commission FY 2025/26 Work Plan & Goals
Community Building Committee
The Community Building Committee continues preparations for the SC Hacks hackathon event, scheduled for Saturday, March 21. The Committee has confirmed six registered teams and is currently in the process of recruiting judges, confirming volunteer assignments, and soliciting sponsorships.
Civic Engagement Committee
The Civic Engagement Committee is working to host a Narcan demonstration in partnership with the Santa Clara City Library. The Committee also continues its efforts to promote the Welcome Package initiative by developing a flyer targeted at new Santa Clara residents.
Youth Empowerment Committee
The Youth Empowerment Committee continues to discuss logistics for its video project, "What Can You Do with a Library Card?" and has begun editing footage gathered during filming.
The motion was made by Commissioner Uppalapati and seconded by Commissioner Rong that this item be recommended for
approval. The motion was carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
10 -
Excused: Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, and Commissioner Suresh
5 -
03/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Gayle Ichiho, Recreation Supervisor reported a total of 24 applications were received for the upcoming Youth Commission term. Candidate interviews are scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Mimi Nguyen, Teen Librarian, reported that the Santa Clara City Library will host its STEM Zone event on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara Convention Center.The Teen Library Card Design Contest has concluded, and judging is complete. The top eight finalists will be available for public voting from March 11 through March 20.
Teens are encouraged to cast their votes in-person at the Teen Zone or online via the Library's social media channels and website. Additionally, Teen Library Leaders are currently producing a series of 'What Can You Do with a Library Card?' videos, with plans to distribute them to schools throughout the city. Staff will coordinate outreach efforts with the Youth Empowerment committee to maximize impact.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Martin represented the Youth Commission at the Parent Information Night, where she engaged parents in a discussion about the Commission's role and community impact. The conversation highlighted leadership opportunities available to youth and encouraged students to get involved in advocating for their peers at the local level.
Alternate Rayees volunteered at the City of Santa Clara's inaugural Celebrate Santa Clara event at Levi's Stadium on Saturday, February 28th.
The experience included facilitating activities for residents while offering the memorable opportunity to explore the stadium and walk on the field.
Commissioner Israni attended Supervisor Susan Ellenberg's State of the District event at Willow Glen High School on February 18. The event provided an overview of District 4's initiatives and accomplishments over the past year. At the event, the Commissioner Israni engaged with several county programs and organizations, including Santa Clara County Parks (which shared information on internship and volunteer opportunities), the TRUST (Trusted Response Urgent Support Team), and the County Division of Equity and Social Justice (which provided resources on immigration, HR1 funding cuts, wage theft, and youth services). Also she had the opportunity to connect with Council Members Karen Hardy and Albert Gonzales. Both expressed support for the Youth Commission's proposed naloxone administration demonstration. They also recommended that the Youth Commission arrange a tour of the Valley
03/10/2026Youth Commission Meeting Minutes
Water Purified Water facility.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Uppalapati and seconded by Commissioner Espinal to adjourn the meeting at 6:18 p.m. until the next regular meeting on April 7,2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Youth & Teen Center.
Aye: Commissioner Domensino, Commissioner Espinal, Commissioner Chong, Commissioner Gaidhani, Commissioner Arias Hernandez, Commissioner Israni, Commissioner Madriaga, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Rong, and Commissioner Uppalapati
10 -
Excused: Commissioner Gopisetti, Commissioner Kunze, Commissioner Mehta, Commissioner Vemu, and Commissioner Suresh
5 -
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.