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Cultural & Heritage 2025/02/20MINUTES 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 David Zuniga Samantha Bell Harris Richard Romeros COMMISSIONERS ABSENT George Serna David Zuniga AGENDA February 20, 2025 STAFF PRESENT Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager Nikki Sandusky, Community Services Superintendent Art Varela, Community Services Supervisor Barbara Leggett, Senior Secretary ACTION TAKEN 1) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nguyen called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Heritage Services Manager, Jane Newell. 3) UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Chair Nguyen, called on new commissioners, Samantha Bell Harris & Richard Romeros to introduce themselves to the Commission. 4) SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Community Services Manager Anaheim Sporn introduced Parks Manager JJ Jimenez, who provided an overview of the upcoming park improvements and mural project at La Palma Park. The mural portion of this project is scheduled for completion in April 2025. 5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Nguyen presented the minutes from December 19, 2024, meeting for approval. Commissioner Uyematsu moved to approve the minutes, Chair Nguyen seconding the motion. The motion was approved unanimously, with six votes in favor and none opposed. Chair Nguyen accepted the minutes. 6) NEW BUSINESS: Community Services Manager Anaheim Sporn brought back information as requested by Chair Nguyen, on the CA for the Arts campaign to recognize and celebrate the arts by declaring April as Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month. She confirmed the Commission's interest in a potential proclamation and encouraged members to engage with their elected officials to explore the possibility of the City formally recognizing the month. She also suggested submitting a formal letter requesting that the City Council agendize proclaiming April as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month may be beneficial. Community Services Manager Anaheim Sporn also emphasized that various divisions within Community Services, including libraries and recreation services, already do much work in supporting arts, cultural and creativity through programs and events. Additionally, she reminded the Commission that April is also National Poetry Month. 7) SUB -COMMITTEES: a) Center Gallery: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela gave an update on the current exhibit Murmurs of the Unheard by Iris Jing. The exhibit is currently open through March 6th. The next artist to be installed is scheduled for mid -March. Cultural & Heritage Commission February 20, 2025 Page 2 b) Public Art Program: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky provided an update on the Public Art Program, informing the Commission that the mural permit and application are currently available on the City's website. She also announced that one mural permit has been officially approved. c) Heritage: Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell gave a detailed update on the Heritage Markers Program, approved by the Commission on November 21 st, 2019. The Marker program is designed to be placed in the sidewalk, on sites where a landmark no longer exists. Materials currently being considered are granite or bronze. This could be related to an event, person or location. If an existing marker is in place, this program would not apply. The hope is persons or businesses would sponsor these Markers. Current nomination forms exist; however the program is currently pending a "slip test". The first Marker will be for a landmark tree. Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell also presented the Commission with information regarding National Landmark registers as well as many other organizations that initiated some type of landmark markings in Anaheim. Information was also presented about Anaheim's Mills Act Program. d) Culture: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela, provided a copy of the Spring Activity Guide, referencing page 41 for the Pearson Park Amphitheatre Concerts, and the Cultural Arts Calendar. Community Services Manager Anaheim Sporn gave an update on The Cinco de Mayo event that will be hosted at Center Greens on Saturday, May 3rd. Chair Nguyen inquired about the Children's Festival, which is referenced in the Spring Guide on page 11, taking place on May 17ch. e) Poet Laureate: Community Services Manager Anaheim Sporn informed the Commission about the upcoming Poetry Contest taking place at Sunkist Library Branch, deadline for submissions is March 15th. 8) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Community Services Manager Anaheim Sporn suggested that the Commission review and define the Sub - Committees and request volunteers for each at the next meeting. Chair Nguyen concurred and requested this be placed on the upcoming agenda. Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell shared information about the upcoming Annual Mystery Authors Luncheon & Silent Auction taking place April 6, 2025, from 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Park Hotel. 9) ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.