REGULAR MEETING OF THE EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Michelle Rojas, 512-974-3771, Michelle.Rojas@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Angelica Navarro (D-8), Chair Hilario “Larry” Amaro (D-10), Member Anthony Martinez (D-4), Member Noemi Castro (D-2), Member Lynda Quintana (D-6), Member Alexander “Al” Duarte (D-7), Member Raul “Roy” Reyna (D-1), Member John Estrada (D-3), Member Selma Sanchez (D-9), Member Cynthia “Cy” Herrera (D-5), Member Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz (Mayor), Vice Chair AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center regular meeting of November 5, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on November and December programs, marketing and outreach efforts, and updates on signature event planning. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Olivia Tamzarian, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Marketing & Outreach Representative, Austin Arts Culture, Music and Entertainment & Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Manager, Austin Arts Culture, Music and Entertainment DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. Update on Phase 2 Construction Project. (Sponsors: Quintana, Sanchez) Presenter(s): Heidi Tse, Capital Delivery Project Manager, Austin Capital Delivery Services Presentation by community members on their experience with Cultural Arts funding. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Luis Ordaz, Hector Ordaz of Proyecto Teatro, Raquel Rivera of SUREM Dance, and Guicha Gutierrez of CasaCostura Presentation by past participants on their experience with the ESB MACC Latino Arts Residency Program. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Luis Ordaz, Hector Ordaz of Proyecto Teatro and Dr. Roen Salinas of Aztlan Dance Company. Conduct a Creative Reset engagement session with board members, facilitated by Marion Sanchez, Interim Communications and Engagement Manager with the Austin Arts Culture, Music and …
ESB-MACC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 5, 2025 EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 5, 2025 The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center convened in a Regular Meeting on November 5, 2025, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. (Some members of the ESB-MACC Advisory Board participated via videoconference.) Chair Navarro called the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Angelica Navarro, Hilario “Larry” Amaro, Alexander “Al” Duarte, Lynda Quintana, Selma Sanchez. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz (left at 7:40 p.m.), Raul “Roy” Reyna. Board Members Absent: Noemi Castro, John Estrada, Cynthia “Cy” Herrera, Anthony Martinez. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speaker 1: Emilio Zamora, Ph.D., Co-founder, Academia Cuauhtli and University of Texas Professor addressed the Board to provide an update on Academia Cuauhtli’s ongoing activities and noted their intention to report to the Board every three to four months. He provided information on a proposed historical exhibition of the MACC, stating the exhibition would cover the history from the 1970s to the present. He indicated that the written narrative for the exhibition was halfway complete, and they were actively seeking funding to support the project. Dr. Zamora added that the plan would be to present the exhibition following the facility’s reopening. Speaker 2: Gonzalo Barrientos, Former State Senator made a statement to the Board, explaining that he frequently receives inquiries from community members regarding events such as quinceañeras and other celebrations. He stated that he informs callers that the facility is operated by the City of Austin and governed by the MACC Board, clarifying that the center is simply named in honor of his late wife. He offered suggestions regarding oversight of the MACC, emphasizing the roles of governing bodies, staff, and the use of public funds. He expressed his hope that the questions he commonly receives could be answered through clear communication of departmental responsibilities, programs, projects, and future plans. Mr. Barrientos added that he would be willing to return to the Board if they wished to discuss any specific questions further. Speaker 3: Anna Maciel, Former MACC Advisory Board Member spoke to the Board regarding Pan Am Hillside. She expressed her support for the MACC hosting events at the hillside, provided certain conditions were met. Ms. Maciel stressed the importance of unified communication and collaboration among all parties. She …
12.3.25 MACC Staff Report – Website - Facebook - Instagram Please share our social media posts, sign up for our newsletter, and check out our upcoming events! Casa de la Cultura Past: All-Levels Bilingual Yoga: Saturdays @ 10:30-11:30am Southeast Library Attendance: 66 Focuses on body awareness, connection with the breath, with gentle movement, and time for meditation and relaxation. The library has mats to share. All Abilities Chair Bilingual Yoga: 3rd Wed of each month @ 10am Dove Springs Recreation Center Attendance: 4 A gentle form of yoga that can be done seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people with various physical abilities. All Abilities Chair Bilingual Yoga: 3rd Friday of each month @ 10am Windsor Park Branch Attendance: 4 A gentle form of yoga that can be done seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people with various physical abilities. Upcoming: La Tamalada: Saturday, December 6th @ 1pm – 5pm Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center Workshop Session Times: 1:30pm – 3:00pm / 3:30pm – 5:00pm This yearly celebration brings families and friends together to make tamales and preserve the traditions and stories connected to this cherished practice. This year, the owners of the local Austin business, Tamale Addiction, will lead a cooking demonstration that is both accessible and heritage-inspired – perfect for anyone interested in making tamales at home. We would be delighted to have you with us as we share food, community, and tradition. We hope you can attend and be part of this celebration that honors cultural preservation. Youth and Family Education Past: Communities in Schools SmartKids Afterschool, various locations This month, our staff guided students in recreating “Homies” figurines inspired by David Gonzales, using the art form to explore identity and Mexican American cultural representation. Students crafted figures that reflected their own stories, including friends, family, and imaginative characters, which opened meaningful conversations about belonging and community. The activity sparked creativity and deepened students’ pride in seeing their lived experiences represented in art. Lending Library Program Traditional Foods & Agriculture of Latin America Our Lending Library team completed its second workshop series at Gus Garcia and Mendez, guiding students through hands-on lessons in making queso fresco, tortillas, and aguas frescas. These activities highlighted traditional foods and staples found in many Mexican American households. The series strengthened students’ cultural pride while building creativity and confidence. Sabados en Familia - John Gillum …
EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER Phase 2 Improvements MACC Advisor y Board Update Heidi Tse Capital Delivery Project Manager December 3, 2025 Zocalo: Railing/fencing painting in progress. Tejano Music Legends landscaping complete. • Zocalo: Railing/fencing gravel edge installation in progress. • River Street: Re-leveling of sidewalk Healing Garden: Garden storage installation in progress. • Interiors: Marker boards and pin boards installed in meeting rooms. • Interiors: Pin boards installed in meeting rooms and art studio. • Reception: Curved glass and frame delivered and ready for installation. Music Studio: Soundproof glass installation in progress Dance Studio: Curtains installed and protected. Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) grants temporary, conditional use of a building for stocking or furnishing before all construction work is fully completed. MACC full building TCO for Stocking as of 11/12/2025 Certificate of Occupancy (CO) that proves a structure is habitable based on its legal use and type of property and meets all building codes. TCO vs CO Estimated Substantial Completion The Re-opening may occur sometime between the project’s substantial completion and final completion. Substantial Completion (contractual term) is when the facility is deemed ready to be occupied by the owner, but other minor work still needs to be completed by the contractor. The exact date or alignment of the Re-opening will not be known until construction has significantly progressed. Must achieve TCO at a minimum. The anticipated project completion timeline is: 1. Target Substantial Completion: 11/03/25 11/19/25 1/2026 12/2025 – 2/2026 2. Re-opening (estimated February – March 2026) Project Milestones Updates • Ceremonial Groundbreaking: December 10, 2022 • GMP 1 (Site Work) Notice to Proceed issued: August 28, 2023 • GMP 2 (Building / Landscape) Notice to Proceed issued: March 7, 2024 • Steel “Topping Out”: September 11, 2024 • Target Major Construction Ends: December 2025 • Target Stocking: December 2025 – January 2026 • Target Staff Move-In: January – February 2026 • Target Soft Re-Opening: February 2026 • Target Grand Re-Opening: Spring 2026 Square Foot Analysis Questions ?
