Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 2, 2022 ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Advisory Board convened via in person and video conferencing. Board Members in Attendance: David Goujon, Chair Art Navarro, Vice Chair Gerardo Gandy, Member Ricardo Maga Rojas, Member Tomas Salas, Member Endi Silva, Member Wayne Lopes, Member Claudia Massey, Member Board Member Absent: Staff in Attendance: Laura Esparza, PARD Division Manager Olivia Tamzarian, ESB-MACC Supervisor CALL TO ORDER: Chair Goujon called the Board Meeting to order at 6:06pm. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Chair David Goujon stated the ESB-MACC mission statement. Larry Amado expressed concern regarding Phase 2 community engagement and outdoor expansion. He complimented the project for all of the indoor improvements but expressed concern with the cost of the excavation and removal of trees. Anna Maciel discussed concern regarding lack of communication to the community on the direction the ESB-MACC is going and lack of dialogue with architects. She expressed hope that the community is more informed about what is going on and made inquiries on the budget. Leonard Davila questioned why the design takes so long to get to the public and stated that the ESB-MACC staff and City should take the Board’s advice. He also mentioned that the 6 pm meeting time was difficult for people to make. Vice Chair Art Navarro asked if the community could speak on the agenda item. Chair David Goujon confirmed he will call on Davila to speak on the appropriate item. Chair Goujon indicated that changing the time of the regular meetings would be difficult because most members of the public including board members are not available during working hours. 1  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (AGENDA ITEM 1) A) AUGUST 4, 2021 B) AUGUST 17, 2021 C) NOVEMBER 3, 2021 Chair Goujon made a motion to approve the minutes. Member Endi Silva seconded the motion. Vote passed. 2. CHAIR REPORT (AGENDA ITEM 2) Chair Goujon acknowledges that the Board has not been able to meet regularly, due in part to the pandemic. Chair Goujon stated there are some openings in the ESB-MACC Advisory Board member positions and encouraged community members to fill the vacancies. 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS (AGENDA ITEM 3) A) STAFF REPORT ON ESB-MACC PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS ESB-MACC Supervisor Olivia Tamzarian provided the staff report, which included a summary of the end of 2021 events, such as La Pastorela and the Figuralo exhibit, and MACCnifico event updates. She also provided updates on upcoming programs such as Taller Abierto, Summer Camp, Caminos and Exhibits and MACCnifico music festival. Vice Chair Navarro asked about the style of the MACCnifico event and artists playing during the event. Olivia Tamzarian specified the title of each day of the 3-day event and outreach to artists. Tamzarian responded that the lineup had not been selected just yet and invited community members to provide input as to who they would like to see. Vice Chair Navarro commended the staff for their work. Chair Goujon decided to change the order of the items on the agenda and went ahead to discuss Item 5a. 4. PRESENTATIONS (AGENDA ITEM 4) A) PRESENTATION BY THE TRAILS FOUNDATION, CHARLOTTE TONSOR PROJECT DIRECTOR ON THEIR CURRENT ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS Charlotte Tonsor provided a PowerPoint on the Trails Foundations introduction, current programming and projects. B) PRESENTATION BY LANA DENKELER, PROJECT COORDINATOR FOR THE WALLER CREEK PROJECT ON THE CREEK DELTA PROJECT UPDATES Lana Denkeler, Diana Wang, and Melissa Ayala introduced themselves and provided a presentation on community programming, the Creek Delta project, photo examples of walkways and bridges, schedule, and project updates. Chair Goujon asked that when construction starts, he wants to receive an update on how the staging of construction impacts the MACC. Diana Wang stated they will share with the 2 Board as soon as they get a contractor on board. Chair Goujon stated it was important that the site logistics are viewed by the Board and the staff prior to execution. Item 5b. is discussed next. 5. NEW BUSINESS (AGENDA ITEM 5) A) DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PHASE 2 SCHEMATIC DESIGN Chair Goujon recounted the presentation of the schematic design. He explained that his experience as an architect that the schematic design is not intended to be the final design but the direction we are moving towards in the project. He mentioned the issues with the escalation of construction costs and that the money we had one year ago does not cover as much today because of the supply chain disruption and labor shortages. He recounted the distribution of funding and where it gets allocated. Chair Goujon expressed excitement about the design that was presented but also hopes that the design team focuses equally on what occurs indoors as outdoors as the project moves forward. Vice Chair Navarro hoped to hear the presentation and comments from The Trail Foundation and did not know if they were coming in with an ask or presentation that would influence the design. He asked that Public Works include public comments in any future design development. Vice Chair Navarro also stated that he and the community have asked for presentation/documentation on how outdoor events will work and mentioned the community today in communication during the meeting have also discussed this. He announced that he was not prepared to vote on the schematic design. Chair Goujon asked of the Board if they were prepared to vote on the schematic design. Vice Chair Navarro stated sentiments regarding a video sent on the Mexican-American Experience event and emphasized the large crowd during the event. Member Gerardo Gandy suggested that they should meet halfway, and they can approve the design but have the design team include an amendment for how outdoor events will work and have opportunity for the community to weigh in on current design. Chair Goujon went through the diagrams that the design team had provided on the Phase 2 February update that demonstrated different layouts for outdoor events in the Zocalo. He also stated that there are still questions that need to be answered as far as the budget breakdown and what the Construction Manager At Risk came back with after pricing the schematic design and how the design team plans to tackle a design that is not within budget. Member Endi Silva asked if the process would be delayed if the Board did not take a vote. Chair Goujon clarified that the Board does not have authority over a contract or staff and their approval is not required for project approval. Chair Goujon also expressed that any slowdown of the project will be a detriment to it because of the fluctuation of construction costs and other projects surrounding the ESB-MACC will be working regardless. 3 Symbolically it states that the board is not happy with what has been presented and is attributed to the lack of community engagement. Member Endi Silva stated lessons were learned and need to reinvent how we are engaging with the public. Member Ricardo Maga Rojas expressed his concern that a vote supporting or not supporting the design whether it would make a difference in the improvement of community engagement. Member Tomas Salas stated it is important to not keep delaying the project. Member Salas expressed the Board are in support of what the community wants and will continue voicing what the community wants. Member Salas also mentioned that the design team and the ESB MACC staff are doing their best on what the community wants and are listening. He also mentioned understanding that not everyone is going to get what they want and even though he personally wanted to see a larger theater, he understood that it was not possible during this time. Member Claudia Massey stated she agreed with Tomas Salas and things should be prioritized based on what the community wants and mentioned prices will keep increasing. Chair Goujon stated his comments are not giving up the Advisory Board’s authority. Chair Goujon expressed that he has been voicing need for better engagement. Vice Chair Navarro stated the date for the start of construction does not change is still there regardless and it will keep moving forward. He also asked Christina Bies to comment on the engagement planned during design development. He reminded Chair Goujon to recognize Leonard Davila who also wanted to speak on this item. Christina Bies stated community engagement efforts would shift during the design development phase, including community leader meetings and monthly newsletters. Chair Goujon stated the process Bies discussed was discussed months ago. Christina Bies stated they are currently still in the planning state. Vice Chair Navarro asked if there will be discussion opportunity and ability to provide input. Bies stated there will be project status updates and question and answer sessions. Bies mentioned there will be a point where design cannot change. Vice Chair Navarro stated understanding. Bies also mentioned that the process is lengthy and wants to continue informing the community even when it seems that nothing is happening in the project. Chair Goujon stated he doesn’t hear there is a good plan with community dialogue and doesn’t believe he could give a vote. Chair Goujon stated the dialogue about the process is completely lacking and could vote symbolically. Vice Chair Navarro stated in spirit of collaboration, he does not want a no vote to be punitive. Vice Chair Navarro detailed cost of excavation and stated they have to consider these costs. Vice Chair Navarro also stated he is 4 not in favor of the shell spaces. Vice Chair Navarro stated the vote should be more than symbolic but a serious assessment by the board that they are delivering what the community wants. Chair Goujon asked if there was an objection of not voting. Silva responded no objection. Item 5c. is discussed next. B) DISCUSSION OF THE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL WITHIN THE ESB MACC PHASE 2 PROJECT WITH THE TRAIL FOUNDATION Chair Goujon recounted the relationship between the trail and the Phase 2 expansion and the benefits the project brings to the trail. He stated it is important for the Trails Foundation to stay connected to the Advisory Board and community members. C) ADOPTION OF ADVISORY BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2022 Chair Goujon made a motion to approve the meeting schedule. Member Silva seconded the motion. Vote passed. (8.0) Item 4a. is discussed next. 6. OLD BUSINESS (AGENDA ITEM 6) A) REPORTS ON ALL WORKING GROUPS 1. ARTS – JOINT CULTURAL COMMITTEE LIAISON REPORT- The Joint Cultural Committee last met in November 2021. A recommendation is in draft form. 2. TRANSPORTATION – No update. 3. PHASE 2 PROJECT – No update. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (AGENDA ITEM 7) Chair Goujon stated agenda item discussion and possible action on Phase 2 schematic design for the March agenda. 8. ADJOURNMENT Chair Goujon motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:55pm. Vice Chair Navarro seconded. 5