Cultural & Heritage 2026/08/20MINUTES
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION
OAK CANYON NATURE CENTER, 6700 E. WALNUT CANYON ROAD, ANAHEIM 92807
August 20, 2026 — 6:30 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Erika Nguyen, Chair
Saul Contreras, Vice Chair
Richard Romeros
Karen Uyematsu
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Samantha Bell Harris
David Zuniga
AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT
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 6:30 p.m.
2) ROLL CALL: Roll was taken; quorum confirmed.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Erika Nguyen.
4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Nguyen presented the meeting minutes for July 16, 2026, for Commissioners'
review and consideration of any necessary revisions, with none. Commissioner Uyematsu moved to approve the
minutes, and Vice Chair Contreras seconded the motion. Chair Nguyen formally accepted the minutes as presented.
5) UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
6) SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
7) NEW BUSINESS: None.
8) SUB -COMMITTEES:
a) Center Gallery: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela provided a recap of the reception for the Chicano
Heritage Exhibit, from July 22, which was well attended and featured works from Emigdio Vasquez, Franky
Castle, Marina Aguilera, and Julio Moncada. The exhibit will run through August 25th. The next exhibit will be
the Anaheim Art Association, beginning August 26 through October 9, 2026.
b) Heritage: Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell provided a recap of the August 1 Open House, which
included a seed and plant exchange. The event welcomed two additional seed libraries from Huntington Beach
and Newport Beach, and attendees also brought seeds and plants to exchange. Combined attendance for the
two events was approximately 100.
Ms. Newell also completed her portion of the Mills Act Program for the year. She met with nine property owners,
seven surveys have been submitted, and six property owners are applying for the Mills Act. She is also working
with several couples who are completing surveys to learn more about their homes' histories but are not applying
for the Mills Act.
The next event is the Woelke-Stoffel House's 130th Birthday Celebration, scheduled for September 5.
c) Poet Laureate: No updates.
9) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela mentioned that the last concert for the
season at Pearson Park Amphitheater is this Saturday, August 22 at 7:00 p.m. SantanaWays.
Cultural & Heritage Commission
August 20, 2026
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Commissioner Romero shared that he and another artist, Oliver, just completed a mural painted at Sycamore Jr.
High School in conjunction with the graduating class. The unveiling will be on Wednesday, September 2 at 5:00.
Senior Secretary Barbara Leggett reminded the Commission of the SB827 training notice that the City Clerk emailed
to each Commissioner.
Community Services Supervisor Art Varela shared the Fall Activity Guide. Upcoming events discussed were the Fall
Festival and Day of the Dead.
Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell noted the upcoming Final Dread: Horror Literature event on September 26.
She also highlighted that September is Library Card Sign -Up Month, encouraging the community to take advantage
of library resources and services.
10) ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.