REGULAR MEETING OF THE EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026, 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 Noemi Castro (D-2), Member Alexander “Al” Duarte (D-7), Member John Estrada (D-3), Member Cynthia “Cy” Herrera (D-5), Member CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz (Mayor), Vice Chair Lynda Quintana (D-6), Member Raul “Roy” Reyna (D-1), Member Selma Sanchez (D-9), Member Vacant (D-4), Member AGENDA 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 (ESB- MACC) regular meeting of April 1, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on April and May programs, marketing and outreach efforts, signature event planning, and staffing updates. (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. Update on Phase 2 Construction Project. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Heidi Tse, Capital Delivery Project Manager, Austin Capital Delivery Services Update on MACC Pocket Park Project. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Sue Hagerty, Project Manager, Austin Capital Delivery Services DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Review current working groups to assess membership status and determine whether to add or eliminate groups. (Sponsors: Herrera, Zamarripa-Saenz) Approve a recommendation in support of six Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission FY 26-27 budget recommendations. (Sponsors: Herrera, Navarro) Create a Latino/a/e Artist Access Program (LAAP) Working Group to collaborate on the redesign of the program, including the review of contracts, policies and procedures; oversight of equipment and …
ESB-MACC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 1, 2026 EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026 The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) convened in a Regular meeting on April 1, 2026, 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 6:05 p.m. The agenda was amended to move Item 5, “Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair,” to the final Discussion and Action Item, Item 9. All remaining action items were reordered accordingly and moved up in sequence. Board Members in Attendance: Angelica Navarro, Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz, Hilario “Larry” Amaro, Noemi Castro, Alexander “Al” Duarte (arrived at 6:14pm), John Estrada. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Cynthia “Cy” Herrera, Raul “Roy” Reyna. Board Members Absent: Lynda Quintana, Selma Sanchez. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speaker 1: Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez, Artistic Director of Proyecto Teatro, shared that Latino communities in the city had experienced significant and disproportionate disinvestment over the past 40 years, highlighting the prevalence of million-dollar investments benefiting primarily white institutions and questioned the lack of comparable funding advancing Latino culture. He expressed disappointment when he saw that the six recommendations presented during the March board meeting were not included on the April agenda, noting that they were developed by members of the cultural ecosystem to advance Latino culture. He urged the board to place those recommendations on a future agenda, emphasizing their importance and possibility to provide critical, potentially life-saving support for the Latino cultural ecosystem. Speaker 2: Hector Ordaz Gutiérrez, Audiovisual Director of Proyecto Teatro registered to speak on item 7 & 8. Speaker 3: Gonzalo Barrientos, Former State Senator stated that it took decades to establish the Mexican American Cultural Center. Following its establishment, challenges arose regarding organizational oversight and management. He explained that over the years he received numerous inquiries about the MACC and had typically referred individuals to the advisory committee or City Council. He expressed his willingness to assist the Board with specific matters when appropriate but stressed that the Board must represent the community’s interests. Mr. Barrientos drew attention to the importance of engaging with City Council members, noting that they play a key role in advancing initiatives and addressing community concerns. He provided an example involving a mural by …
5.6.26 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 Upcoming: Raices Vivas – Growing Families, Growing Roots Last Wednesday of the Month. First Workshop: May 27th 6:00pm – 7:00pm MACC Community Garden Join us as we learn the history and traditions of our favorite Mexican herbs, spices and vegetables by gardening and creating dishes from family recipes, herbal and botanical traditions. 5/27: Native Wildflowers (Community Planting Day) Join our community this May as we plant native wildflowers for our bees, bats and butterflies and sow seeds to celebrate Spring in the gardens. Cumbia Para MACC – Cumbia Dance Class June 8th – July 27th 7:00PM – 8:00PM MACC Dance Studio Join us for a dynamic, beginner-friendly dance workshop series celebrating the richness of Mexican culture through movement and music. Learn why cumbia is for everyone! This multi-week program introduces participants to foundational styles in cumbia through regional rhythms, while exploring the cultural traditions and history behind each dance. We focus on the styles of cumbia sonidera and cumbia tropical. Dulces a Traves del Tiempo – Dessert Making Workshop Series June 13th – July 25th MACC Cocina Join us for a six-week workshop series centered on Latinidad and the delicacies traditionally served at celebrations. Participants will learn the techniques, styles, and designs of multiple desserts, including buttercream piping, cake structuring & decorating, cookie decorating, and baking more traditional treats like polvorones. Through accessible, beginner-friendly instruction, students will dive deep into discussions of shared cultural experiences and create their own versions of desserts rooted in tradition, completing the series with a celebration of the skills learned and connections made. Students will walk away with a dessert after each workshop and a communal recipe book to inspire them to keep traditions alive for future generations Movimiento Ancestral - Toltec Inspirited Movement Coming June 2026 MACC Dance Studio Movimiento Ancestral is a grounding and empowering class inspired by Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions that honor the connection between body, breath, spirit, and the natural elements. Through intentional movement and mindful breathing, we explore symbolic postures that honor the four directions — East, South, West, and North — representing new beginnings, inner fire, emotional flow, and grounding wisdom. This Toltec postures invite participants to reconnect with their bodies, cultivate balance, and awaken inner strength while experiencing …
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center May 3, 2026, Update Heidi Tse, Project Manager ESB MACC at dusk April 2026 KEY DATES: MACC programs begin Parking Lot Opens Grand Re-Opening April 27 May 1 June 6 PHASE 2 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PROGRESS: Warranty Phase • Punchlist items are ongoing. • Replacement of plants from February frost complete. • Cleaning underway. HEATING HOT WATER LOOP REPAIR PROJECT: Construction Phase • Emergency Funding for repair is from Austin Facility Management Deferred Maintenance and MACC Parking Lot Improvement Fund. • Engaged utility contractor 4/2/2026 • Traffic Control Plan produced and submitted 4/17/26 in advance of Right-of-Way permit. • Underground Utilities Contractor begin mobilization 4/27/26. • Emergency Right-of-Way Permit issued on 4/28/26. • Demolition of 50% the area of suspected leak exposed. • Thunderstorms during April slowed demolition and proved challenging in identifying leak. • Additional isolation valves to be installed week of 5/4/26. • Target to complete repair prior to 6/6/26 Re-Opening.
Mexican American Cultural Center Pocket Park Capital Delivery Services | May 6, 2026 MACC Pocket Park 64 Rainey Street Gateway to the Mexican American Cultural Center Approx 6000 sq ft Approved for AIPP mural 2 MACC Pocket Park • Temporary park improvements installed Spring 2024 with donated benches. • Rotation list selection of Freese & Nichols for Design Services December 2025. • Presently still pending proposal for services • Request consideration of another rotation list selection or • Consideration of COA ESD Team with Landscape Architect Kimberly Gilbertson 3 Landscape Architecture by ESD • Violet Crown Trail South Whirlpool Patio • Mokan / Bolm Road Trailhead • BOLM / Shady / Airport AIPP Colab • East MLK AIPP Colab 4 Anticipated Timeline MACC Pocket Park Planning: Summer 2026 Consultant selection 2026 Bid/Award: Fall 2027 Advertising, Bidding and Award 2028 2027 Design: Fall 2026 to Summer 2027 Design and Permitting Construction: Fall 2027 to Summer 2028 Construction 5
ESB-MACC Advisory Board Working Groups Name Motion Members Budget Phase 2 Ethnographic Research 64 Rainey Music Hub Programming Grand Opening Motioned to create the Budget (FY26) working group. Lily Zamarripa-Saenz, Vice Chair Larry Amaro, Member Roy Reyna, Member Alternate Noemi Castro Angelica Navarro, Chair Lily Zamarripa-Saenz, Member Larry Amaro, Member John Estrada, Member Cy Herrera, Member Alternate Roy Reyna, Member Motioned to create new working group to include the new tasks of seeing project through successful completion up to issuance of certificate of occupancy, include RFQ validation and feedback process, continued community engagement, reprioritizing of Master Plan based on budget, advising on branding, and promoting and supporting the coordination of the grand opening. Motion to reinstate the Ethnographic Working Group to support the work of Cassie Smith’s Ethnographic research. Motioned to create a 64 Rainey Working Group that would follow the progress and development of the pocket park, consult with community members regarding development and progress, and address any task that may arise. Motion to create a working group to explore music hub programming. Goal is to advise MACC staff as needed. Purpose is to provide future funding and include programming to buildout the hub. Motion to create a working group dedicated to support MACC staff in preparation for the grand reopening of phase II. The working group will collaborate directly with MACC staff and be available at any capacity needed. Whether through event logistics, community outreach or general support to ensure a successful and meaningful Angelica Navarro, Chair Larry Amaro, Member Anthony Martinez, Member Cassie Smith (Community Member) Lily Zamarripa-Saenz, Member John Estrada, Member Lily Zamarripa-Saenz, Vice Chair Noemi Castro, Member John Estrada, Member Cy Herrera, Member Al Duarte, Member Angelica Navarro, Chair Lily Zamarripa-Saenz, Vice Chair Noemi Castro, Member Al Duarte, Member Roy Reyna, Member Maria Solis (Community Member) Hector Ordaz (Community Member) Awards of Excellence (AOE) Strategic Planning and Partnership reopening that reflects the culture and communities’ significance. Including consulting community members as needed and inviting them to meetings for public comment. Motioned to reestablish the Awards of Excellence Working Group to discuss nominations for 2026 awardees, selection committee, assistance with event planning, and details of set up and breakdown to provide support for MACC staff. Motion to create a Strategic Planning and Partnership Working Group to strengthen the long-term sustainability, visibility, and impact of the Cultural Center by guiding strategic direction and cultivating high-value partnerships Core …
Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission FY26-27 Budget Recommendation Titles RECOMMENDATION 1: Latino Arts and Culture Community Navigator Program $125K ● Increase funding and social resources to ensure appropriate language accessibility for AACME Cultural Arts Funding Cycle, specifically in Spanish ● Ensure funding is proportional to representation of community RECOMMENDATION 2: Spanish-language Contracts for City of Austin Cultural Arts Contractors $10K RECOMMENDATION 3: Emergency Funding for Latino Cultural Artists Possible alternate names for the recommendation: Emergency Cultural Arts Grants for Latino Artists $1.5 Million RECOMMENDATION 4: Capital Improvement Funding for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center - Phase 2 $6 Million RECOMMENDATION 5: $1 Million Funding for the Latino Artist Residency Program (LARP) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Possible alternate names for the recommendation: Latino Artist Residency Program (LARP) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican AMerican Cultural Center Reestablishing the Latino Artist Residency Program (LARP) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican AMerican Cultural Center RECOMMENDATION 6: Explore alternative funding resources for Cultural Arts, specifically state legislation that would increase the 15% HOT Tax fund cap for funding programs $50K BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20260324-XXX) Latino Arts & Cultural Community Navigator Program WHEREAS, approximately 32% of Austin’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino 1; and WHEREAS, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish the predominant language spoken in the City 2; and WHEREAS, Austin has a long history of systemic racism and racial inequity that continues today. Throughout history, communities of color have been excluded, marginalized, and discriminated against as a result of City policies and practices. This history was reinforced by segregationist policies throughout the 20th century affecting a range of Austin venues, including schools, public parks, and commercial businesses, among others, and WHEREAS, Spanish-speaking cultural arts organizations and individual artists continue to face inequitable access to Cultural Arts resources and services as a result of systemic and racial inequity, but also due to evolving City policies and the implementation of new procedures that fail to be culturally responsive and do not adequately address language access; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin’s Latino and Spanish-speaking community continues to voice the need for culturally-sensitive assistance, including and not limited to: 1. Application navigation 2. Access to Spanish-language contracts and grant agreements 3. Accurate, culturally competent Spanish translations of …
