San Leandro Arts Commission: Budget Crisis & Leadership Change – March 17, 2026
San Leandro Arts, Culture and Library Commission Meeting – March 17, 2026
The March 17, 2026 meeting of the San Leandro Arts, Culture and Library Commission was called to order at 6:32 PM. Key topics included a significant proposed budget cut of $50,000 to the public art line item, the election of a new chair and vice chair, formation of project committees, and an update on the grants program. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of February 17, 2026 Minutes: Approved unanimously (6 Ayes, 0 Nays).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the meeting.
Discussion Items
- FY27 Budget & Proposed Cuts: Assistant Director B. Sherwood reported that the City faces a structural deficit, requiring all departments to cut over three fiscal years (2027–2029). The library’s target is $850,000. Proposed reductions include not filling vacant positions intended for the new Mulford Branch (opening later this calendar year) and cutting the entire $50,000 public art line item. Sherwood noted that a proposed 1% for art development fee is under development as a potential sustainable funding source.
- 2026 Comedy Event: A single comedy show is planned for June 27, 2026, at the Bal Theatre, with $20,000 allocated for the event. A request for proposals for a producer was issued.
- Grants Program Update: The Grants Committee reported receiving 11 applications (4 from non-profits, 7 from individuals), significantly fewer than last year. The committee will meet March 30 to score applications and bring recommendations to the full commission in April. Commissioner Guillory noted the San Leandro Players production of The Odd Couple (Female Version).
Action Items
- Election of Chair and Vice Chair: Chair Scotland nominated Vice Chair Alana Miller for Chair. Miller was elected unanimously (8 Ayes, 0 Nays). Miller then nominated Commissioner Alvarez for Vice Chair. Alvarez was elected unanimously (8 Ayes, 0 Nays).
- Project Priorities & Committees: Commissioners reviewed and confirmed assignments for four committees: Library Bike Tour (led by Miller), Poetry Contest (led by Ridsdale), Theme of Shrooms (led by Scotland), and Writing Workshop for Latinx Youth (led by Velasquez). Each committee is to develop a project plan by the next meeting.
Key Outcomes
- The Commission elected Alana Miller as Chair and Commissioner Alvarez as Vice Chair, both by unanimous votes.
- Four project committees were formed with designated leads and tasked to present project plans at the April meeting.
- The Grants Committee will finalize scoring and bring award recommendations to the full commission in April.
- The proposed $50,000 cut to public art remains subject to City Council decisions, with a finance committee meeting scheduled for March 25 to provide further guidance.
Meeting Transcript
I call Arts Culture and Library Commission meeting of March 17th, 2026 to order at 632 p.m. So excited. Please take the roll call bill. Chair of Scotland. Present. Vice Chair Miller. Present. Commissioner Acevedo. Present. Commissioner Aylix. Alex. Alex. President. Thank you. Commissioner Alvarez. Commissioner Gillary. Here. Commissioner Ridsdale. Present. Commissioner Velazquez. We have six, so the quorum is met. All right. So before we move on to item two announcements, we have a new commissioner. Commissioner Alex, do you want to take a couple sentences and tell us about yourself and why you're here? Yeah, sure. Thank you all for letting me be a part of the commission and being here. And I am I'm a little bit new to San Leandra. I've been here for like a few years. Moved here right before the pandemic. But the reason why I'm here is because it's I really like to get involved in the community again. Really, what drove the um interest is just kind of seeing what's happening politically around the arts and culture and especially funding and things like that in our country right now. So I figured, all right, I gotta do something. Maybe I could do something locally, and so I thought I'd apply and wait for an opportunity to join. So I'm really honored to be here with all of you. Thank you so much. Yeah, right. All right, item two, announcements. There are no announcements. Item three, a minutes of the February 17, 2026 meeting. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes of February 17, 2026? Somebody I moved to thank you. Is there a second? I second. Any discussion? All right. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right. That motion carries.
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