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
04/06/2026
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
Webinar 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 7:02 p.m.
Commissioner Abinas Roy, Vice Chair Candida Diaz, Commissioner Charles Pontious, Chair Debra von Huene, Commissioner Kuku Das, and Commissioner Louis Samara
Present 6 -
Commissioner Neetu GargAbsent 1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Roy and seconded by
Commissioner Das to excuse Commissioner Garg from the meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
6 -
Absent: Commissioner Garg1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
04/06/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
1. 26-334 Action on the Cultural Commission Regular Minutes of March 2, 2026 Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of March 2, 2026
A motion was made by Vice Chair Diaz and seconded by
Commissioner Samara to approve the minutes from the March 2, 2026 meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Garg1 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 26-403 Review and Discuss Joining the Make Music Alliance in 2027 and Participating in Make Music Day on June 21, 2027
Recommendation: Discuss and provide direction on the City of Santa Clara’s participation in the Make Music Alliance and Make Music Day on June 21, 2027.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious and seconded by Commissioner Das to take staff recommendation and table Make Music Day 2026 efforts and focus on participation in Make Music Day 2027.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Garg1 -
3. 26-337 Discussion and Potential Action on the 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.
04/06/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Recreation Manager Castro presented a budget update on the Cultural Commission's budget, including how much has been spent year-to-date, how much is encumbered from prior fiscal year, and the available budget remaining. The budget does not include revenue brought in for sponsorships. Information can be referenced in the "Budget Update 04 06 26 - Post Meeting Material" attachment.
Art Master Plan RFP is scheduled to be sent out the week of April 6 to find a consultant to aid the City through the master plan process.
It was also shared that the City will be going under a Charter Review and Manager Castro encouraged the Commissioners to get informed on this.
Night Market events coming up in May, June and July. Two day events, Friday, 4-9 p.m. and Saturday, 2-9 p.m. and 900-1000 Lafayette St.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Das invited Commissioners to attend the 26th annual iGurukul Cultural Extravaganza event on Sunday, April 12, at the College of San Mateo Performing Arts Center. More than 250 artists from all different cultures.
Commissioner Pontious visited Portland, Oregon and was amazed by all of the wall art/murals in the city. Expressed how nice it would be to implement that more in Santa Clara.
Chair von Huene shared about the Americans for the Arts Conference in New Mexico, June 2-5 and asked Commissioners to consider attending.
She sang in a concert with Santa Clara Chorale in March with the theme Stardust. On May 16 she will performing in a Santa Clara Chorale concert at the Mission Santa Clara that includes a full orchestra.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Vice Chair Diaz and seconded by
Commissioner Samara to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Samara
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Garg1 -
04/06/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
The next regular meeting of the Cultural Commission will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
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.