Report Prepared by: Kirsten Waller, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (District 1, District 2, District 5, District 6, Three 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 (District 1, District 2, District 5, District 6, Three 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
Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Roles
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.
Past Council Actions
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.
Appointments - Terms
Members appointed to a Board or Commission shall serve a term of four years. When members resign or leave the Board or Commission in which they serve, the term dates remain the same. Per the Municipal Code, Sections 702 and 702.1, a "term" shall be defined to include serving fifty percent plus one day of a term as a board member or commissioner on a particular board or commission. Members who are appointed to a term that is less than fifty percent, are considered to serve partial terms. Additionally, partial terms begin once the member has been officially appointed to a Board or Commission by the City Council.
Recruitment
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of a social media post coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms, an email blast was sent to over 3,000 subscribers on the boards and commissions list notifying them of the recruitment.
District 1 - This position has remained vacant since April 6, 2026, when Commissioner Gregorio Rocha-Tabera resigned. The applicant appointed will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s Office has not received any eligible applications.
District 2 - The second term for Maria Del Zaragoza expired on July 1, 2026. Ms. Zaragoza has graciously served two full terms on the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission and is not eligible to re-apply. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s Office received an eligible application from Brie Wolf.
District 5 - The term for Tommy Tran expired on July 1, 2026. Mr. Tran has shown interest and has reapplied for District 6 position. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s Office did receive one eligible application from Miranda Griswold.
District 6 - The term for Angelina Thompson expired on July 1, 2026. Ms. Thompson has not shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Tommy Tran, Christopher Carter, and Tom Olejniczak.
Ex-Officio (3) - Three seats became vacant due to the expiration of the terms of Nicholas Cuccia, Eddie Rodriguez, and Brie Wolf on July 1, 2026. Ms. Wolf has shown interest in the District 2 position, Mr. Cuccia and Mr. Rodriguez have not shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Ana Browning District 3, Sabrina Abong District 3, and Anahita Foroutan District 4.
The matter of appointment to fill the seat on the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Applications
2. Current Roster