Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (At-Large, District 3, District 4, and One Ex-Officio)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nominations and appointing individuals to serve as members of the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (At-Large, District 3, District 4, and 1 Ex-Officio); or,
B. Accepting nominations and appointing as many members as Council sees appropriate and directing staff to continue the recruitment of applicants.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Direct the Clerk’s Office to continue recruitment for the vacancies.
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code, Section 3.38.050.
DISCUSSION
The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council on matters having to do with public art, art projects, cultural programs and activities and the promotion of the arts within the City of Merced. In forming the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission, it is the intent of the City Council to foster the arts in the City of Merced and to help implement policy, programs, and standards for public art. The Commission consists of seven registered City of Merced voting members. Six (6) voting members of the commission shall be from the established City Council voting districts and the seventh member shall be appointed at large, who serve four-year terms of office, with four ex-officio members at City Council discretion.
At the Council meeting of March 21, 2022, staff was directed to return to a yearly appointment process for the reappointment of eligible members and the appointment of new applicants to vacant board or commission seats.
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of a social media push over several weeks coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms, and a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 5,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment.
District 3 Seat - The term of Sandra Hay expired on July 1, 2024. Ms. Hay showed interest in being re-appointed and is eligible for a first full-term. In addition to this, the Clerk’s Office received an eligible application from Sabrina Abong and Colton Dennis.
District 4 Seat - The term of Colton Dennis expired on July 1, 2024. Mr. Dennis showed interest in being re-appointed and is eligible for a second full-term, but due to a change of address, he resides in District 3. The Clerk’s Office received an eligible application from Robert Hypes.
At-Large Seat - The term of Rob Hypes expired on July 1, 2024. Mr. Hypes showed interest in being re-appointed and is eligible for a second full-term. In addition to this, the Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Angel Santellano, Arturo Martinez Jr., Jeremy Jenkins, and Sabrina Abong.
Ex-Officio (1) - One seat became vacant with the resignation of Kimberly Garner in April 2024. This seat was filled last year and became vacant after appointment was made; the end-term would be July 1, 2026. The Clerk’s Office has received eligible applications from Angel Santellano, Arturo Martinez Jr., Jeremy Jenkins, and Sabrina Abong.
The matter of appointment to fill four seats on the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Applications
2. Current Roster