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
05/04/2026
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 Vice Chair Diaz at 7:07 p.m.
Commissioner Abinas Roy, Vice Chair Candida Diaz, Commissioner Charles Pontious, Commissioner Kuku Das, Commissioner Louis Samara, and Commissioner Neetu Garg
Present 6 -
Chair Debra von HueneAbsent 1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Commissioner Garg to excuse Chair von Huene from the meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Absent: Chair von Huene1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
05/04/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
1.A 26-471 Action on the Cultural Commission Regular Minutes of April 6, 2026 Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2026
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Commissioner Roy to approve the minutes from the April 6, 2026 meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Excused: Chair von Huene1 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 26-478 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.
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Commissioner Pontious to approve the allocation of $2,800 to promote Cultural Commission activities, upcoming dates and events on a utility bill insert.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Excused: Chair von Huene1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Commissioner Pontious to allocate $1,000 to Mission College to cosponsor a concert on June 3, 2026.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Excused: Chair von Huene1 -
05/04/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
3. 26-479 Discuss and Develop Cultural Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY 2026/27
Recommendation: Discuss and Develop Cultural Commission Work Plan Goals and Objectives for FY 2026/27.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious and seconded by Commissioner Das to allocate $250 towards lawn signage to promote Street Dance and its new location.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Excused: Chair von Huene1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Pontious and seconded by Commissioner Garg to allocate $1,200 in FY26/27 for the Halloween and Holiday Home Decorating Contests.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Excused: Chair von Huene1 -
STAFF REPORT
Supervisor Shaddle shared dates for upcoming events that the Commission would be interested in or is involved in. Nebula Rider, the outdoor temporary art piece, would be removed on May 27. The FIFA flag raising would be at City Hall on May 12. The Asian American Stories Video Contest was being held at the Mission City Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, May 9, and was a partnership between the Santa Clara City Library, Ding Ding TV, and the Silicon Valley Community Media. The City Council Special Order of Business, where the Commission will present their accomplishments for the previous year and what is upcoming, to Mayor and City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7. The Cultural Commission dinner with City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The Juneteenth Concert, partnered with the Santa Clara Library, Parks & Recreation and Cultural Commission will be held Friday, June 19 behind the Library. The first Mission College concert, cosponsored by the Cultural Commission will be held Wednesday, June 3. Lastly, the June Celebrate Santa Clara: Night Market will be held on June 6 and 7 at 900-1000 Lafayette Street.
05/04/2026Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Garg visited New Delhi, India.
Commissioner Das shared the success of the 26th Anniversary iGurukul Cultural Extravaganza event, which included over 250 artists and dancers from all different countries.
Commissioner Roy attended the Celebrate Santa Clara: Night Market, held the weekend of May 1 and 2.
Commissioner Pontious shared that he would be performing at a benefit for The Santa Clara Library Foundation & Friends at the Triton Museum of Art on Saturday, May 16.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Samara and seconded by Commissioner Roy to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Samara, and Commissioner Garg 6 -
Excused: Chair von Huene1 -
The next regular meeting of the Cultural Commission will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026.
05/04/2026Cultural 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.