REGULAR MEETING OF THE EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER 600 RIVER 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 Lynda Quintana (D-6), Member Noemi Castro (D-2), Member Raul “Roy” Reyna (D-1), Member Alexander “Al” Duarte (D-7), Member Selma Sanchez (D-9), Member John Estrada (D-3), Member Vacant (D-4), 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 (ESB- MACC) regular meeting of July 8, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on July, August, and September 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. Presentation on the Process for Renaming City of Austin Facility Spaces. (Sponsors: Amaro, Navarro) Presenter(s): Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Manager, Austin Arts Culture, Music, and Entertainment Presentation on Creative Reset Phase II. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Manager, Austin Arts Culture, Music, and Entertainment WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Strategic Planning Working Group (Sponsors: Herrera, Zamarripa-Saenz) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may …
Naming and Renaming of Park Facilities ACME | September 2, 2026 Naming and Renaming of Park Facilities Ordinance No. 20160324-021 • City of Austin • Effective April 4, 2016 • Overview of policies, eligibility, and approval process • https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/d ocument.cfm?id=421661 Purpose of the Ordinance • Establish a standardized process for naming park facilities. • Encourage transparency and community participation. • Define eligibility criteria. • Differentiate between park facilities and park features. • Clarify approval authority. Key Definitions Park Facility Includes: • Parks • Significant buildings • Recreation centers • Cultural centers • Senior centers • Sports complexes • Pools • Trails Park Feature Examples include: • Playgrounds • Gardens • Pavilions • Memorials • Other major recreational improvements 4 Park Naming Policy A park feature may recognize: Individuals Groups Cultural significance Valuable community contributions Recognition may include: Plaques Feature naming - without renaming the overall park facility. 5 Who May Be Honored? A park facility may be named for: Individuals with valuable service to the City and park system Individuals or entities donating: • • • Land At least 50% of development costs Twenty-year maintenance endowment Individuals or entities with culturally significant contributions 6 Application Requirements Applicants must provide: • Application fee • Public support documentation • Required nomination information • Sign fabrication fee (after approval) Federal Tax Consideration The City may reject a proposed name if necessary to protect the federal tax- exempt status of financing used for the facility. 7 Naming a Park Feature Nomination includes: • Biography (if honoring an individual) • Justification • Cultural or historic significance (when applicable) Process: Nomination → Director Review → Administrative Approval No City Council action required. 8 Naming or Renaming a Park Facility Nomination must include: • Biography or organizational background • Community contributions • Connection to the facility • Cultural significance (if applicable) 9 Public Engagement Process The Public Information Officer: Announces the naming opportunity Notifies affected communities Shares nomination deadlines Promotes public participation Nomination period: 90 days 10 Approval Process 11 Roles and Responsibilities ACME Director Accepts nominations Reviews applications Determines completeness City Manager Transmits recommendation Places item on Council agenda City Council Parks & Recreation Board / MACC Board Final approval authority Conducts public hearing Makes recommendation May establish alternative procedures 12 Key Takeaways • Clear and consistent …
The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment July 2026 Why Now? Austin Has Changed. Our Cultural System Must Change With It. ▪ Austin's population continues to grow and diversify. ▪ Community expectations have shifted from simply preserving facilities to actively programming and activating them. ▪ Residents expect welcoming, accessible, vibrant public spaces that are open, responsive, and community-centered. ▪ The Creative Reset presented an opportunity to rethink how our facilities operate, not just maintain the status quo. Emma S Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 2 Our Community Spaces Cultural Centers Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex African American Cultural & Heritage Facility + Dedrick Hamilton House Museums and Art Center Montopolis Negro School Zilker Hillside Theater Dougherty Arts Center Asian American Resource Center Connelly-Yerwood “Pink” House Emma S Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural + Genealogy Center Elisabet Ney Museum UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum Susanna Dickinson Museum O. Henry Museum Old Bakery & Emporium 23rd Street Renaissance Artist Market 3 Our Approach The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums Beverly S. Sheffield Hillside Theater Our Approach We designed this process around listening. Community Engagement Internal Assessment Staff Visioning Site Identity Exercise Operational Review Recommendations Implementation Plan Evaluation 5 Nearly a year of engagement ensured that our recommendations reflect both community priorities and operational realities. Elisabet Ney Museum 6 Community: What We Heard The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums ACME Creative Reset Engagement Community: What We Heard Activate our facilities More activity, more energy, more opportunities. Expand partnerships Collaborate with artists, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Improve customer experience Create welcoming, consistent, easy-to-access spaces. Reduce barriers Simplify processes and increase accessibility. Celebrate each site's unique identity Honor history while creating new opportunities. Brush Square Pun-Off Event 8 Staff: What We Learned The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums Dougherty Arts Center Staff: What We Learned ▪ Staff are passionate and deeply committed to serving the community. ▪ Operational processes vary significantly across facilities. ▪ Administrative responsibilities often limit time available for programming and community engagement. ▪ Greater collaboration, shared services, and consistent expectations can improve efficiency while preserving each site's unique identity. ▪ Our facilities are aging. Staff Engagement Event 10 Our New Operating Model The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums …
