Mountain View Performing Arts Committee Special Meeting – March 11, 2026
Mountain View Performing Arts Committee Special Meeting – March 11, 2026
The Performing Arts Committee held a special meeting on the date indicated (note: the meeting transcript and minutes consistently show a meeting date of February 25, 2026; the March 11 date is provided by the user and used here per instruction). The committee reviewed the SecondStage Vitality Program, debriefed a recent gallery reception, and discussed the potential for a Make Music Day event. All actions were advisory in nature.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the November 19, 2025 meeting (4-0). Note: The raw transcript refers to approval of minutes for January 21, 2026, but the official minutes document lists November 19, 2025 – the official version is used here.
Public Comments & Testimony
- None were offered.
Discussion Items
- Review of the SecondStage Vitality Program: Performing Arts Manager Theresa Yvonne presented an overview of the old fee‑waiver program and the forthcoming revised “vitality program.” The old program was described as lacking transparency, applied sporadically, and not announced publicly. The new program will feature a transparent, annual application process with a grant workshop, clear criteria, and a ranking system brought to the committee for approval. It will also be open to current renters of the SecondStage and will treat the waived fees as an investment in new works rather than merely lost revenue. Committee members expressed support for the increased structure and transparency.
- Gallery Reception Debrief: The committee shared positive feedback about the recent gallery reception. Attendees enjoyed the event, the conversation, and the length. Improvements suggested for future events included: name tags for committee members and staff, a non‑alcoholic beverage option, invitations to city council members, and adding a rug to create a warmer atmosphere. The demographic of attendees was estimated as mostly 50–70 years old, with a smaller group of 30‑ to 40‑year‑olds, many from Old Mountain View. Marketing challenges were discussed, including the need to reach younger demographics through Instagram, NextDoor, and partnerships with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Red Rock. The committee noted that the event successfully brought in city staff but not many residents outside the existing network.
- Make Music Day Exploration: Staff introduced the concept of Make Music Day (June 21), a nationwide day of musical performances. The committee discussed feasibility, noting that while the software cost is modest (~$300/year), staff capacity to manage registrations and permits could be a concern. Several members questioned the readiness of the local music scene and whether an external champion would be needed. Others saw potential for a grassroots, low‑barrier event. After extended discussion, the committee agreed to place Make Music Day on a future agenda and to form an exploratory ad hoc committee to assess city permit waivers, potential partnerships, and alignment with the committee’s work plan.
Committee/Staff Announcements, Updates, and Reports
- The committee discussed the need to attract new demographics to Performing Arts Committee meetings and events, suggesting a dedicated work plan item on sustainability and outreach.
- Members reported a chance encounter with young residents who were confused by the Brown Act rules; the committee agreed the process can be off‑putting to newcomers.
- Staff provided a brief update on the upcoming Upstage Theater production and noted that complimentary tickets for committee members will be available.
- A committee member reported that West Valley Light Opera had ceased operations after 60 years.
Key Outcomes
- The previous meeting’s minutes were approved unanimously (4‑0).
- The committee directed staff to add Make Music Day to a future regular meeting agenda for formal discussion and to begin preliminary research (e.g., contacting staff in other cities like San Jose or Gilroy).
- An ad hoc committee will be formed to explore the feasibility of Make Music Day, including permit requirements and potential community partners.
- The committee requested that a formal debrief of the downtown committee ad hoc be scheduled.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2026.
Discrepancy note: The meeting date in the agenda and transcript is February 25, 2026; the date in the title and summary (March 11, 2026) is provided by the user and may be an error. The content reflects the February 25 meeting.
Meeting Transcript
I call the meeting of the Mountain View Performing Arts Committee for Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 to order at 620 p.m. This is a special meeting. Spanish or Chinese interpretation via Zoom and translation of meeting materials are available at no cost on a request. Please contact the city by 5 p.m. At least two business days prior to the day of the scheduled meeting by phone at 6509036608 or by email at MEP at Mountainview.gov. This meeting is being conducted with a virtual component. Anyone wishing to address the committee virtually may join the meeting online at HTTPS slash slash mountain view.us slash J slash 82884578889 or by dialing 699128 and entering webinar ID H to 8457 888. When the chair announces the item on which you wish to speak, click the raise hand feature in Zoom or dial star nine on your phone. When the chair calls your name to provide public comment, if you are participating via phone, please press star six to unmute yourself. Call to order. And item two is roll call. Did we have some to the role call? Chairperson Donegum here. Vice Chair Fenwick here. Committee member Garcia. Here. And commit committee member Bardois? Yeah. And committee meeting committee member Crone is. Okay, item agenda three minutes approval. Does anybody have any corrections to the minutes that we have for the January 21st 2026 meeting? So much more written this time. I make a motion to approve the minutes. I took a look at them. Oh second. Any discussion, right? I just I agree with member Garcia that I appreciate the little extra context of the trigger the memory. So makes the memory the more solid. That did happen. Okay, everybody who approves, raise your hand. It's unanimous. And item number four oral communications from the public. This fourth committee meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes. State law prohibits the committee from acting on any non-agenda items. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment? Okay, there being none. Um we move along to item five, unfinished business. While there being none, we move along to six. New business 6.1 review of the second stage vitality program. Recommendation the committee will review second stage vitality program and provide feedback. So I think we turn it over to this point. Yes, I'm not sure if we need to. We're not going to do a recommendation on the feedback for the second stage vitality program because it isn't ready to this committee. So, but what I thought I would do, because we have new folks here, is you guys don't have a benchmark of the previous, what we used to do, which we call the second stage fee waiver program. So it's in your pocket. And basically, so then when the new one comes in front of you, the um ad hoc was Garcia and Donna who were on the ad hoc committee. It's in its final stages, but um it is not ready to come to be voted on. So hopefully we'll it will come back in front of you the latest meeting needed, but I thought we would take this opportunity since this didn't get removed from the agenda to go over what we had previously. So basically it was a second stage fee waiver program, as you can see, there's some basic purpose um uh basic qualifications, fee waivers.
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