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
08/03/2026
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: 669-900-683
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair von Huene called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
Commissioner Abinas Roy, Vice Chair Candida Diaz, Commissioner Charles Pontious, Chair Debra von Huene, Commissioner Kuku Das, Commissioner Neetu Garg, and Commissioner Ana Vargas-Smith Present 7 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. 26-703 Action on the Cultural Commission Regular Minutes of June 1, 2026 Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2026
Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Garg, to recommend approval of the June 8, 2026, Cultural Commission Minutes. The motion carried by the following votes:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, and Commissioner Garg
5 -
Abstained: 2 - Commissioner Pontious, and Commissioner Vargas-Smith City of Santa Clara Page 1 Printed on 08/17/2026
Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes 08/03/2026
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
The Chair opened the public presentation. Anna Guibao presented on behalf of the Spirituality Committee from St. Clare Parish, and proposed an event at the Statue of St. Clare in Civic Center Park, to celebrate the 175th anniversary of The City of Santa Clara and the 250th anniversary of the Mission of St. Clare de Asis.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 26-794 Discussion and Potential Action on the Cultural Commission Work Plan and Activities for FY 2026/27
Recommendation: Discuss and potentially take action on the Cultural Commission Work Plan and Activities for FY 2026/27.
Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Garg to allot an additional $1,310 to the Friday Night Live event on Friday, October 16, 2026, to add thirty minutes to the performance and to purchase two promotional street banners. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
Information can be referenced in the "Commemorative Months Events and Activities FY2026-27-Post Meeting Material" attachment.
Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Pontious, to proceed with the recommendations from the
Commemorative Months sub-committee. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Pontious, to allocate $200 for photo frames for the interactive Cultural Commission booth at the Holiday Tree Lighting event on Friday, December 4, 2026. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
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Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Roy, to allocate $1,500 to host an Indian Cultural Festival, held at the Community Recreation Center in February of 2027. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Pontious to allocate $1,000 to co-sponsor the Juneteenth concert with the Santa Clara City Library on June 19, 2027. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
Information can be referenced in the “International Day of Yoga 2027 - Post Meeting Material” attachment.
Commissioner Garg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Pontious to add the International Day of Yoga as an activity listed under Goal #1 in the Cultural Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY2026/27. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
STAFF REPORT
Recreation Supervisor Shaddle
The annual Street Dance will be held Friday, August 7, at Commerce Plaza, 900 Lafayette Street, includes the band, David Martin's House Party, 9 food trucks, the kettle corn booth, Sister Cities selling beer and wine, City Departments present as well as event sponsors. Event hours 6-9:30 p.m. Encouraged all to attend.
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Cultural Commission Meeting Minutes 08/03/2026
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Garg
Reported that she felt the Concert in the Park on July 24 was very loud and worried the concert at Live Oak Park on August 14 would be very loud for the neighbors nearby.
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
Attended the Celebrate Santa Clara Night Markets this summer and felt they were very successful, well attended, a positive experience for attendees, and a wonderful bonding opportunity for the community.
Announced the Parade of Champions will be held on October 3, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Diaz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Pontious, to adjourn the meeting on August 3, 2026, at 9:04 p.m.
Aye: Commissioner Roy, Vice Chair Diaz, Commissioner Pontious, Chair von Huene, Commissioner Das, Commissioner Garg, and
Commissioner Vargas-Smith
7 -
The next meeting of the Cultural Commission will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026.
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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.
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