OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - February 9, 2026

Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission — Monday, February 9, 2026
BodySacramento, California
SessionArts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission
DateMonday, February 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

Chair, we are ready when you are.

0:24

Good afternoon.

0:25

Welcome to Monday, February 9th, 2026, 1 p.m.

0:30

meeting of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission.

0:33

The meeting is now called to order.

0:35

Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum?

0:40

Thank you, Chair.

0:41

Members, please unmute for roll call.

0:44

Commissioner Carter.

0:46

Present.

0:47

Commissioner Eisenberg?

0:48

Here.

0:49

Commissioner Gutierrez.

0:55

Absent.

0:56

Commissioner Hershey?

0:58

Here.

0:58

Commissioner O'Habu.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Commissioner Orozco.

1:03

Here.

1:04

Commissioner Smith.

1:08

Absent.

1:10

Um Commissioner Wallace.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Commissioner Winlock.

1:15

Here.

1:16

And Chair Lavulu.

1:18

Here.

1:18

Thank you.

1:19

We have quorum.

1:21

I'd like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins.

1:30

After the item is called, we will no longer accept speaker slips.

1:33

You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on.

1:37

We will now proceed to today's agenda.

1:43

Please rise if you're able for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands.

1:54

To the original people of this land, the Nissanam people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains, Miwok, Patwin Wintun peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

2:06

May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous Peoples history, contribution, and lives.

2:23

Thank you.

2:26

I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it has one nation under God and the visible with liberty and justice for all.

2:58

Thank you, Chair.

2:59

There are no speakers for this item.

3:03

Thank you.

3:03

Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this item?

3:09

Commissioner Wallace.

3:18

Thank you.

3:25

Commissioner Eisenberg.

3:36

So we have a motion to approve by Commissioner Wallace with a second by Commissioner Eisenberg.

3:44

Correct.

3:45

All in favor say aye.

3:48

Aye.

3:50

Any opposed?

3:54

Any abstain.

3:58

The motion passes with opposition from Commissioner Zero.

4:02

No Commissioners.

4:04

An abstention from no commissioners as well.

4:07

Motion passes.

4:39

I can jump in here, Chair Lavulu.

4:42

Jason Zhong, Office of Arts and Culture.

4:46

Today our first discussion calendar item is a presentation by staff with California for the arts.

4:53

California for the arts promotes the annual recognition of April as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month, otherwise known as ACCM.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Procedural█████████████████████23%
Public Comments█████████████████████23%
Ethics Commission████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 1:04 p.m. to 2:12 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included a consent calendar, two discussion items (Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month programming and a board orientation presentation), a director's report, public comments, and commissioner comments. All eight present commissioners (Carter, Eisenberg, Hershey, Ohaegbu, Orozco, Wallace, Winlock, and Chair Lavulo) voted unanimously on the consent calendar. Commissioners Gutierrez and Smith were absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of January 12, 2026, Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2026-00107): Passed a motion to approve the draft minutes.
  • Adoption of Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2026-00201): Passed a motion to adopt the follow-up log.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Discussion Item 3 (ACCM Programming): Lambert, a local cheesecake entrepreneur, spoke in support of the arts commission, praising Megan's leadership at Grant High School and noting that his cheesecakes were featured at the Super Bowl. He also expressed concerns about the city's structural deficit.
  • Discussion Item 4 (Board Orientation): Lambert spoke again, commending City Clerk Mindy Cuppy for her work during the pandemic and for handling a lengthy public hearing with over 100 speakers. He also mentioned his ongoing mission to understand the Brown Act.
  • Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda:
    • Jenna, a Sacramento citizen, announced she is opening a new art space called "The Atelier" in Midtown at 19th and V streets, tentatively opening the second Saturday in March. The space will provide studio space, classes for youth and families, and a program for children under five.
    • Lambert spoke again, referencing a previous comment about a no-written-agreement issue with a company still receiving funding, which he said could be a problem for the city. He also shared a positive marketing story where millennials helped promote his cheesecake website through organic links.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3: 2026 Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month (ACCM) Programming (File ID: 2026-00501)

    • Nafesha Israel, Director of Programs at California for the Arts, presented plans for ACCM in April. Key details:
      • The summit will be held April 20, 2026, at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center and Memorial Auditorium, with a pre-summit convening on April 19 featuring Stanford University and sessions on cultural policy, arts education (Prop 28), and the Creative Core project.
      • Arts Advocacy Day is April 21, 2026, at Capitol Park (free event), including a rally and meetings with legislators. Last year 350 registered, 231 checked in, and 95 legislators were met.
      • The summit costs $325 early bird (regular $375), with a discounted artist rate of $190 (honor system). The City of Sacramento provided $5,000 in scholarships covering up to 30 artists who live within city limits.
      • Keynote speaker will be Dolores Huerta.
      • A 50 for 50 campaign seeks $50 million for the California Arts Council in the state budget; it was not included in the governor's December proposal but has a legislative champion.
    • Commissioners asked about scholarships for students (Israel said she would confirm), coordination with local artists (Visit Sacramento is creating a list of offerings), and details on the three-day experience.
    • Action: Received and commented.

  • Item 4: City of Sacramento Board, Commission, and Committee Orientation (File ID: 2026-00406)

    • City Clerk Mindy Cuppy presented an oral report covering the Brown Act, Rosenberg's Rules of Order, ethics, conflicts of interest, public records, and parliamentary procedure. Key points:
      • The Brown Act prohibits serial meetings (daisy chains or spoken hubs) via email, text, or social media. Commissioners should avoid replying all or engaging in substantive discussions outside meetings.
      • A quorum is one more than half of the body. Absences: three consecutive absences may trigger outreach to the recommending body.
      • Recusal requires leaving the room during the item; abstention is discouraged.
      • Public comments must be allowed; the chair can limit time if necessary.
      • Social media posts by commissioners can inadvertently violate the Brown Act if they create a serial conversation or express opinions that later affect voting.
      • Commissioners should call the city attorney (Ryan Meyerhoff) before a meeting if they suspect a conflict of interest.
    • Commissioners asked clarifying questions about recusal, attendance rules, and social media interactions (e.g., reposting, liking).
    • Action: Reviewed, commented, and provided direction.

Director's Report

  • Jason Jong, Cultural and Creative Economy Manager, reported on:
    • The Creative Economies in Action Statewide Engagement Tour held the previous week (90–100 attendees) to discuss the state's first creative economy strategic plan.
    • The Birds and Benches public art project in District 1 (10 benches by 2028, funded by 2% for art ordinance and North Natomas Jibe sponsorship).
    • A new public art project for the North Sacramento/Hagenwood Public Library, with a $100,000 artist commission award (applications due March 23, 2026).
    • The Stockton Boulevard Plan Action Grant (rolling opportunity) and an open seat for Council District 7 on the commission.

Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions

  • Commissioner Eisenberg: Shout-out to the Atelier and to staff for the Hagenwood Library project. Announced an upcoming show at Neverboard (Toy Room archives) on February 21 at 1518 Del Paso Boulevard.
  • Commissioner Ohaegbu: Highlighted events at PBS KVIE, including a reception for Judy Knott's gallery on March 12 and gallery open March 11–May 4.
  • Commissioner Wallace: Asked about wages for event associates at the Safe Credit Union complex; the attorney suggested it could be placed on the follow-up log if it relates to the commission's scope.
  • Commissioner Carter: Announced an art kickoff at Oak Park Brewery on February 17, 6–8 p.m.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously (8-0).
  • Discussion Item 3 (ACCM Programming) received and commented; no formal vote.
  • Discussion Item 4 (Board Orientation) reviewed, commented, and provided direction; no formal vote.
  • The commission will follow up on Commissioner Wallace's request regarding event associate wages via the follow-up log process.

Meeting Transcript

Chair, we are ready when you are. Good afternoon. Welcome to Monday, February 9th, 2026, 1 p.m. meeting of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Members, please unmute for roll call. Commissioner Carter. Present. Commissioner Eisenberg? Here. Commissioner Gutierrez. Absent. Commissioner Hershey? Here. Commissioner O'Habu. Here. Commissioner Orozco. Here. Commissioner Smith. Absent. Um Commissioner Wallace. Here. Commissioner Winlock. Here. And Chair Lavulu. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. I'd like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins. After the item is called, we will no longer accept speaker slips. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. We will now proceed to today's agenda. Please rise if you're able for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanam people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains, Miwok, Patwin Wintun peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous Peoples history, contribution, and lives. Thank you. I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it has one nation under God and the visible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Chair. There are no speakers for this item. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this item? Commissioner Wallace. Thank you. Commissioner Eisenberg. So we have a motion to approve by Commissioner Wallace with a second by Commissioner Eisenberg. Correct. All in favor say aye. Aye.

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