Cultural & Heritage 2024/12/19MINUTES
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER, ROTARY ROOM, 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805
December 19, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Erika Nguyen, Chair Nikki Sandusky, Community Services Superintendent
Karen Uyematsu, Vice Chair Art Varela, Community Services Supervisor
David Zuniga Barbara Leggett, Senior Secretary
George Serna
STAFF ABSENT
Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
1) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nguyen called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Commissioner Zuniga.
3) UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
4) SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Nguyen presented the minutes from October 17, 2024, meeting for approval.
Commissioner Uyematsu moved to approve the minutes, with Commissioner Serna 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: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela gave an update on the current exhibit by Victor
Briseno; Sometimes It Dreams. The exhibit is currently ongoing with a reception scheduled for Wednesday,
January 15, 2025. The next artist scheduled is Iris, her exhibit will be installed on January 30, 2025. No
reception date has been determined yet.
b) Public Art Program: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky provided an update on the Public
Art Program; she shared that we are close to completing our website for the Public Art Program, and that
the Mural Permit Application and Artist Register is currently available on the City's website, under the
Planning division.
c) Heritage: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela gave an update on behalf of Heritage Services
Manager Jane Newell, by sharing the holiday hours of the Heritage Center and some or the Anaheim
Libraries. He also reminded the Commission of the last opportunity to attend the Victorian Christmas Open
house at Founders Park on Saturday, January 4th from 9 am —12 pm.
Commissioner Nguyen, on behalf of Mayor Aitken, inquired whether the City maintains a Heritage
Landmarks list or if one could be developed. Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky
recommended consulting Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell for a more comprehensive response.
Cultural & Heritage Commission
December 19, 2024
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Community Services Supervisor Art Varela gave an update on the progress of the architectural, lighting and
other renovations at Pearson Park Amphitheater, with a scheduled completion date sometime in Spring.
d) Culture: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky provided a recap of several fall events. The
Acorn Festival, held at Oak Canyon Nature Center, drew a few hundred attendees and featured participation
from various Indigenous tribes who shared cultural dances, songs, and other activities. Additionally, the Day
of the Dead event took place on November 1st at Center Greens, and the Nutcracker Tree Lighting
Ceremony took place on December 8th, with performances by the Anaheim Ballet as well as other musical
groups.
e) Poet Laureate: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky stated there is no update at this time.
7) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky presented the finalized 2025 Cultural & Heritage meeting
schedule, noting that details for various meeting locations on a quarterly basis are still being finalized, as
previously discussed. She confirmed that the January meeting will take place at the Downtown Anaheim
Community Center and that the meeting scheduled for June 19th (Juneteenth) will proceed as planned, as it is
not a City -recognized holiday.
Chair Nguyen inquired about the vacant positions on the Board. Senior Secretary Leggett outlined the process,
stating that the City Clerk reviews applications submitted by the public, and the City Council for the district with
the vacancy evaluates the applications and appoints a candidate. At this time, no applicants have been
appointed.
Chair Nguyen thanked the City staff and Commission for their time and participation in 2024.
8) ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on January 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.