Item 1. ESB-MACC_Minutes_6.3.26_Draft — original pdf

Backup

ESB-MACC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2026 EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026 The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) convened in a Regular meeting on June 3, 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 6:10 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Angelica Navarro, Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz, Hilario “Larry” Amaro, Alexander “Al” Duarte, John Estrada, Cynthia “Cy” Herrera. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Noemi Castro (arrived at 6:32 p.m.). Board Members Absent: Lynda Quintana, Raul “Roy” Reyna, Selma Sanchez. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speaker 1: Anita Quintanilla, an Austin resident, addressed the board, emphasizing the historical significance of Indigenous, Mexican, and Mexican Americans in Texas. She expressed her belief that the terms “Hispanic,” “Latino,” and Latinx” do not accurately reflect history. Ms. Quintanilla stated that she believed the center’s focus should remain on Mexican American history and culture. Speaker 2: Hector Ordaz Gutiérrez, a member of the Arts and Culture Working Group with the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission and Arts Commission, addressed the board to share information from the commission’s most recent meeting. He explained that a proposed cross-commission working group was discussed but ultimately tabled due to restrictions preventing commissioners from serving on multiple commissions simultaneously. He noted that the Chair of the Arts Commission supported exploring alternative pathways, including the potential formation of a City Council-authorized working group composed of commissioners. Mr. Ordaz encouraged the Advisory Board to support the concept through City Council engagement or by adding the item to a future agenda for discussion. Speaker 3: Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez, Co-founder and Artistic Director of ProyectoTeatro provided comments in support of the proposed cross-commission working group, stressing the need for formal structure to streamline communication and align recommendations across commissions on shared cultural priorities. He stated there was support from multiple commissions for establishing a working group and encouraged the board to place the item on a future agenda for further discussion. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center regular meeting of May 6, 2026. 1 ESB-MACC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2026 The minutes from the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center regular meeting of May 6, 2026, were approved on Vice Chair Zamarripa-Saenz’s motion. Board Member Duarte seconded. Motion passed on a 6-0 vote. Board Members Castro, Quintana, Reyna, and Sanchez absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on May and June programs, marketing and outreach efforts, signature event planning, and staffing updates. Olivia Tamzarian, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Marketing & Outreach Representative with Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME), provided details regarding pre- event preparations and day-of Grand Reopening logistics. She shared information including the volunteer sign-up link, arrival and parking details, workshop schedule, exhibits, art vendors, food trucks, community resource and non-profit tables, as well as the performance schedule. She also gave a brief update on the Teen Caminos Leadership Program, Casa de la Cultura programming, Youth and Education Summer Camp, and Academia Cuauhtli’s bilingual camp. Carlos Meda, Culture and Arts Production Coordinator with Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME), outlined inclement weather contingency plans to ensure the safety of equipment and performers during the Grand Reopening. If rain occurs, tables would be placed in covered walkways to maintain vendor access, allowing attendees to continue shopping and access food offerings. Performers would remain on stage, with a tent structure installed to protect the stage and equipment from weather conditions. Isabella Hernandez introduced herself as the Center’s new Culture and Arts Special Events Coordinator. She shared that she had previously worked with the MACC for two and a half years as a temporary employee before joining the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, where she served on the Youth Initiatives team. In that role, she helped coordinate the High School Summer Internship Program, which employed more than 200 high school students, and organized the annual Youth Career Fest. Ms. Hernandez also highlighted her previous administrative experience as an Activity Leader with the Teen Caminos Program at the MACC and noted that she had been a volunteer with the Caminos program prior to joining staff. (Please see the Board and Commissions Website for backup material.) DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Update on MACC Pocket Park Project. Sue Hagerty, Project Manager with Austin Capital Delivery Services, reviewed the status of the MACC Pocket Park project. She shared the approximate square footage and notated that, as part of the approved Art in Public Places (AIPP) mural project, artist Raul Valdez would recreate the mural that was destroyed at Juárez-Lincoln University. Ms. Hagerty also explained that the project team was working to maximize the consulting budget by partnering with the City of Austin Engineering Services Division as the in-house design team, allowing the project to focus resources on the mural and landscape elements. Kimberly Gilbertson, Licensed Landscape Architect with the City of Austin Engineering Services Division, introduced herself and outlined the division’s role as the City’s in- 2 ESB-MACC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2026 house design firm. She explained the division’s core services and described their landscape architecture services. Gilbertson displayed examples of her recent and current projects. Ms. Hagerty concluded with the anticipated timeline for the MACC Pocket Park project. (Please see the Board and Commissions Website for backup material.) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Review current working groups to assess membership status and determine whether to add or eliminate groups. Board Member Herrera went over the list of working groups. It was determined the Budget Working Group would remain active on a year-round basis. The following working groups would continue: Ethnographic Research 64 Rainey Awards of Excellence Strategic Planning The following working groups were dissolved: Phase II Music Hub Grand Opening (Please see the Board and Commissions Website for backup material.) 5. 6. Approve a recommendation in support of six Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission FY 26-27 budget recommendations. The board agreed that they would like the Strategic Planning Working Group to meet first before taking any action. No action taken. 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 inventory; advisement on technical matters; staff training on proper use of equipment; and collaboration on room and space buildouts, as well as support continuity, institutional knowledge, and ongoing communication.. The board agreed that they would like the Strategic Planning Working Group to meet first before taking any action. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from the Strategic Planning Working Group (Sponsors: Herrera, Zamarripa-Saenz) Financial Report (Sponsors: Herrera, Zamarripa-Saenz) ADJOURNMENT Chair Navarro adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m. without objection. 3