HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-05 CAC Agenda Packet
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**POST-MEETING AGENDA**
Date:Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time:6:00 p.m.
Location:Civic Center Branch Library
Conference Room
365 F St, Chula Vista
Cultural Arts Commission Regular Meeting
______________________________________________________________________________
In-Person Public Comments: Join us for the Cultural Arts Commission meeting at the time and
location specified on this agenda to make your comments. Each person will be allotted three minutes
to address the Commission, unless otherwise adjusted by the presiding officer.
Electronic Public Comments: At www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings, locate this meeting and click
on the comment bubble icon. Select the item and click on "Leave Comment." The deadline to submit
e-comments or any comments emailed to CAC@chulavistaca.gov will be noon on the day of the
meeting.
Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request modifications or accommodations in
order to access and/or participate in a Cultural Arts Commission meeting by contacting the
commission staff at CAC@chulavistaca.gov (California Relay Service is available for the hearing
impaired by dialing 711) at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting.
We encourage community participation—sign up at www.ChulaVistaCA.gov/Boards to receive email
notifications when agendas are available.
Pages
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
Commissioners Echevarria, Kohse, Muraoka, Rufolo, Sablan, and Chair Bishop
3.PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public may address the Commission on any subject matter within the
Commission’s jurisdiction that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law
generally prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on any issue
not included on the agenda. The Commission may schedule the topic for future
discussion or refer the matter to staff.
4.PRESENTATIONS
The following item(s) will be presentations given to the Commission. Action on
these item(s) is typically limited to the Commission receiving the presentation and
providing direction or feedback to staff, as appropriate.
4.1 Presentation on the Feasibility of Establishing a Poet Laureate Program
Presented by Erwin Magbanua, Principal Librarian
Recommended Action:
Hear the presentation.
5.ACTION ITEMS
Action items are considered individually by the Commission and are expected to
elicit discussion and deliberation.
5.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes 4
Recommended Action:
Approve the minutes dated April 1, 2026, and May 6, 2026
5.2 Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Recommended Action:
Elect chair and vice chair.
5.3 Authorize the Chair to Work with Staff to Finalize and Submit the Annual
Activities Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26
11
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Chair to work with staff to finalize and submit the annual
activities report.
5.4 2026 Performing and Visual Arts Grant Review Panel Recommendations to
City Council
13
Recommended Action:
Receive the panel's recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
6.STAFF COMMENTS
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda Page 2 of 13
7.CHAIR'S COMMENTS
8.COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
9.ADJOURNMENT
to the regular meeting on September 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Materials provided to the Cultural Arts Commission related to any open-session
item on this agenda are available for public review by contacting the City Clerk's
Office at CAC@chulavistaca.gov.
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda Page 3 of 13
City of Chula Vista
Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting
MINUTES
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission of the City of Chula Vista was
called to order at 6:09 p.m. in Conference Room 103, located in Building A,276
Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista California.
2. ROLL CALL
Secretary Magbanua called the roll.
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Presentation by Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Shannon
Bullock on Arts Programs at Recreation Centers
Commission heard the presentation.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 4.1 through 4.2)
Moved by Commissioner Kohse
Seconded by Commissioner Rufolo
Page 4 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
2026-04-01 Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 2
Commission approve the recommended action on the below consent calendar
items.
Result: Carried (4 to 0)
4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approve the minutes dated: March 4, 2026
4.2 Written Communications
Consider Requests for Excused Absence, Commissioners Echevarria,
Kohse, and Rufolo from the
March 4, 2026 Cultural Arts Commission meeting.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert commented on the requirements for minute-taking in meetings.
6. ACTION ITEMS
6.1 Discuss the 2026 Performing and Visual Arts Grant
Robert made a public comment criticizing the order of pubic comments in
the action item.
Moved by Commissioner Kohse
Seconded by Commissioner Rufolo
Recommendation to provide up to a maximum of $6,000 per selected
project for the 2026 Performing and Visual Grants award.
Result: Carried (4 to 0)
Moved by Commissioner Kohse
Seconded by Commissioner Brady
Recommendation to include facility use fees as an eligible expense for
grant awardees.
Page 5 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
2026-04-01 Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 3
Result: Carried (4 to 0)
6.2 Discuss the 2026 Chula Vista ArtFest
At the request of Vice Chair Kohse, there was consensus to add an item
to a future agenda regarding a potential community arts event at the South
Chula Vista Library.
6.3 Discuss the Sister City Program
Item was discussed.
7. STAFF COMMENTS
Principal Librarian and Cultural Arts Manager Magbanua provided updates on
Casa Casillas and City budget meetings. Deputy City Attorney Gilmore
announced upcoming Brown Act trainings at all board and commission meetings,
and reminded commissioners about appropriately representing themselves at
public functions.
8. CHAIR'S COMMENTS
Chair Bishop apologized to Robert regarding his public comments complaint.
9. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Brady commented on the study of performing arts centers
in San Diego and their benefits and recommended the need for low cost
performance venues in Chula Vista.
Commissioner Echevarria supported Commissioner Brady's ideas and
suggested the Balboa Park Centro Cultural de la Raza as a model to
emulate.
Commissioner Rufolo expressed a wish to have a culinary competition at
ArtFest and agreed with Commissioner Brady on the need for more
performing arts venues.
Vice Chair Kohse suggested a South by Southwest-style event at
Southwestern College and gave an update as the Community Choice
award judge for this year's Sweetwater Union High School District art
show.
Page 6 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
2026-04-01 Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 4
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: Erwin Magbanua, Secretary
_________________________
Erwin Magbanua, Commission Secretary
Page 7 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
City of Chula Vista
Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting
MINUTES
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission of the City of Chula Vista was
called to order at 6:08 p.m. in Conference Room 103, located in Building A,276
Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Secretary Magbanua called the roll.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 3.1 through 3.2)
3.2 Written Communications
Moved by Commissioner Kohse
Seconded by Commissioner Brady
Excuse the absence.
Result: Carried (6 to 0)
Page 8 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
2026 -05-06 Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 2
Item removed from the consent calendar
3.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes
The item vote was postponed for a subsequent meeting.
Approve the minutes dated: April 1, 2026.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert commented on recent City Council meeting presentations and the City
budget proposals.
Allen Gore commented on potential student art exhibit at the courthouse.
5. ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Discuss the 2026 Chula Vista ArtFest
Commissioners discussed ideas for the 2026 Chula Vista ArtFest.
5.2 Discuss Potential Community Arts Event at the South Chula Vista
Library
Moved by Commissioner Kohse
Seconded by Commissioner Brady
Commission recommended staff explore the feasibility and potential
details for an art festival at the South Chula Vista Library.
Result: Carried (6 to 0)
5.3 Discuss the 2026 Odawara Youth Ambassador Exchange Program
Moved by Commissioner Kohse
Seconded by Commissioner Sablan
Commission recommended that staff explore the possibility of increased
stipend for the Ambassador Exchange Program.
Result: Carried (6 to 0)
Page 9 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
2026 -05-06 Regular Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 3
6. STAFF COMMENTS
Principal Librarian and Cultural Arts Manager Magbanua and Cultural Arts
Coordinator Vega provided updates on the Performing and Visual Arts Grant,
upcoming programs, and Casa Casillas.
7. CHAIR'S COMMENTS
Chair Bishop provided a recap of her experience presenting at the April 21, 2026
City Council Meeting with Commissioner Brady.
8. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Brady provided her feedback her experience with the April 21,
2026 City Council meeting with Chair Bishop, made recommendations about
minute-taking, discussed her comments at recent City Council meeting,
questioned the agreement with San Diego State University at the Millenia Library,
and commented on the Chula Vista Center's plans for the facilities housing dance
groups.
Commissioners Muraoka and Sablan and Vice Chair Kohse expressed
disappointment with the discussion during Chair's comments.
Vice Chair Kohse suggested revisiting the idea of incentives for businesses who
incorporate local art at their facilities and reminded Commission of the early
stages of the Pangaea project.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p .m.
Minutes prepared by: Erwin Magbanua, Secretary
_________________________
Erwin Magbanua, Commission Secretary
Page 10 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
Page 1 of 2
Cultural Arts Commission
Annual Activity Report
Fiscal Year 2025-26
Highlights of Activities
• The Commission elected Commissioner Bishop as Chair and Commissioner Kohse as Vice
Chair for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
• The Commission discussed the planning of the 2026 ArtFest event.
• The Commission recommended that staff explore the possibility of adding
Palma Del Rio, Spain as a sister city.
• The Commission selected Commissioners Rufolo, Sablan, Echevarria, and Chair Bishop to
be on the 2026 Performing and Visual Arts Grant review panel.
• The Commission selected Vice Chair Kohse to judge and present the Community Choice
Award at the 2026 Sweetwater Union High School District Awards.
• The Commission selected Chair Bishop and Commissioners Echevarria, Muraoka, and
Rufolo for an ad hoc subcommittee for the 2026 Odawara Youth Exchange Program.
• The Commission recommended that staff explore the South Chula Vista Library as a
potential venue for ArtFest.
• The Commission recommended that staff add an agenda item at a subsequent meeting
to discuss the Lauderbach Park facilities as a performing arts space for the community.
• The Commission recommended that staff add an agenda item at a subsequent meeting
to discuss the possibility of adding proper dance floors to recreation center facilities as a
recommendation to City Council.
• The Commission selected Chair Bishop and Commissioner Brady to present about Arts,
Culture, & Creativity Month for an April 2026 City Council meeting.
• The Commission recommended to staff to find City locations for low-cost performance
and rehearsal spaces in west Chula Vista.
• The Commission recommended a maximum of $6,000 per selected project and to include
facility use fees as an eligible expense for the 2026 Performing and Visual Grants award.
• The Commission recommended that staff explore the feasibility and potential details for
an art festival at the South Chula Vista Library.
• The Commission recommended that staff explore the possibility of increased stipend for
the Ambassador Exchange Program.
Page 11 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
Page 2 of 2
Comments or Recommendations to the City Council
The Cultural Arts Commission recommends that City Council increase support and funding for
cultural arts in the community.
Page 12 of 13
City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda
1
CITY OF CHULA VISTA 2026 PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Amarte: Healing through Art
A workshop series using artistic expression to support
emotional well-being. The project is designed to provide
therapeutic and accessible spaces for healing,
reflection, and creative practice, using tools such as
journaling, painting, collage, or guided writing exercises.
Designed for all skill levels, participants can engage and
create something meaningful through art.
Award: $6,000
Teaching Artist Fees, Art Supplies, and Promotion
Out of the Studio Open Walls: A Day of Creative
Expression and Public Art
A participatory public art installation that transforms an
open outdoor space into a temporary, community-driven
graffiti and mural environment. Located at Casa
Casillas, this project will be an accessible, walk-through
installation where participants can actively engage in
collaborative art-making.
Award: $6,000
Artist Fees and Art Supplies
Public Commons Brass Ensemble Performances
A four-concert outdoor brass ensemble program
presented by Westwind Brass at public parks
throughout Chula Vista during summer and
fall 2026. Each concert features a professional brass
quintet performing classical, Latin, jazz, American
songbook, and contemporary arrangements — curated
to reflect Chula Vista's diverse cultural heritage and
engage audiences of all ages.
Award: $6,000
Musician Fees and Promotion
Roots & Blossoms
Student-led public art exhibit featuring original artwork
and artists' statements by first-generation, low-income
Latinx high school students, who will create original
artwork exploring cultural identity, belonging, and self-
expression. The student artists will receive structured
arts mentorship, participate in monthly pathway
workshops, and develop written artists’ statements that
tell the story behind their work.
Award: $6,000
Art Supplies and Promotion
Un Día de Muertos: To Be Everywhere and for
Everyone
The San Diego Museum of Art will develop a community
engagement project centered on the creation of large-
scale Day of the Dead altar installations by students
from the Chula Vista Elementary School District. The
installations will be displayed at Casa Casillas and
Chula Vista City Hall, where they will be free and open
to the public throughout November 2026 .
Award: $6,000
Artist Fees and Art Supplies
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City of Chula Vista Cultural Arts Commission
August 5, 2026 Agenda