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Cultural & Heritage 2024/10/17MINUTES CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER, ROTARY ROOM, 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Erika Nguyen, Chair Karen Uyematsu, Vice Chair Kristen Maahs George Serna COMMISSIONERS ABSENT David Zuniga October 17, 2024 STAFF PRESENT Nikki Sandusky, Community Services Superintendent Art Varela, Community Services Supervisor Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager Barbara Leggett, Senior Secretary STAFF ABSENT Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager AGENDA ACTION TAKEN 1) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nguyen called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky. 3) UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None. 4) SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None. 5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Nguyen presented the minutes from August 15, 2024, meeting for approval. Commissioner Serna moved to approve the minutes, with Commissioner Maahs seconding the motion. The motion was approved unanimously, with four votes in favor and none opposed. Chair Nguyen accepted the minutes. 6) SUB -COMMITTEES: a) Center Gallery: Art Varela, Community Services Supervisor, recapped the September 4th reception for Chicano Heritage Month, featuring works by Emigdio Vasquez, Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, and Oliver Cortez. The next exhibit, showcasing Grace Nicoletti's works, runs from November 6th to December 11th. Center Gallery is scheduled through mid -January. b) Public Art Program: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky provided an update on the Public Art Program; she shared that the City is making progress in finalizing the Muralist application and Artist Register. c) Heritage: Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell reminded the Commission about the upcoming Native Arts Festival on November 9th. She also mentioned that the Heritage Center will be hosting a scavenger hunt as part of the Fall Festival. Additionally, she informed the Commission that school tours are fully booked for the year. Lastly, Jane provided an update on the Heritage Markers, noting that she is working with an agency to ensure the materials and sizes comply with safety guidelines. Community Services Supervisor Art Varela shared that Pearson Park is currently under construction, with updates to the lighting, sound, and network systems. All wooden structures are being remodeled with careful attention to historical details to match the originals. Cultural & Heritage Commission October 17, 2024 Page 2 d) Culture: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela highlighted the success of the Mexican Independence Day event, held on September 15th in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico. It was well attended, with hopes to host future events in Anaheim. Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky provided an update on Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated on October 14th. The event included a run/walk from Anaheim Coves to City Hall, followed by a lunch celebration at the Downtown Anaheim Community Center. She informed the Commission of the upcoming Day of the Dead Event on November 1 sc at Center Greens. e) Poet Laureate: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky provided an update that Poet Laureate Camille Hernandez participated in both the Chicano Heritage event at the Center Gallery and the opening of Center Greens, where she delivered poetry readings at each event. 7) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky presented the proposed 2025 Cultural & Heritage schedule, highlighting the consideration of alternate meeting locations. She reminded the Commission that in years past, Cultural & Heritage has gone dark for Holiday months, such as November and/or December. Chair Nguyen raised concern about the June 19, 2025 meeting date, suggesting an alternative due to the observance of Juneteenth. The group discussed various potential meeting venues, including Muzeo, Pearson Park, Oak Canyon Nature Center, and the Chance Theater. Commissioner Serna proposed conducting seasonal visits to these locations. Chair Nguyen shared that Chance Theater season has been announced and the annual fund raiser is November second. Senior Secretary Barbara Leggett mentioned during the roll call that Alicia Jacinto resigned from the Cultural & Heritage Commission effective September 9, 2024. The City Clerk has been notified. 8) ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on November 21, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.