Board Minutes

City of Mesa — City Council Study Session (2026-04-09)

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Museum and Cultural Advisory Board – Meeting Minutes 
The Museum and Cultural Advisory Board met in a regular hybrid meeting via Zoom and at the 
Mesa Arts Center on Thursday January 22, 2026. 
Members Present: 
Members Absent: 
Staff Present: 
Todd Hanle  
Jania Davis  
Luis Ruiz 
Katelyn Armbruster  
Colleen Byron 
Sarah Goedicke 
Greg DeSimone 
Mandy Tripoli 
Brad Peterson 
Jarrad Bittner 
Karen Rolston 
Simon Tipene Adlam 
Melvin Van Vorst 
 
Kristin McLeod 
Angela Buer  
Jenn Fecteau 
Annalisa Alvrus 
Greg DeSimone called the meeting to order at 4:03pm. 
Items from citizens present: There were no citizens present. 
Approval of Minutes from the Regular November 20, 2025 meeting:  
Melvin Van Vorst moved to approve the minutes as written, and Todd Hanle seconded. Board members 
voted unanimously to approve the minutes from November 20, and they will be posted on the city’s 
website. 
Hear a Presentation on Development opportunities – Jenn Fecteau, Arts and 
Culture Resources Developer 
Jenn Fecteau briefly shared details on the upcoming Mesa Arts Center (MAC) Gala on February 28, 
2026. This Gala will focus on programs supporting veterans and active-duty military. MAC will also 
honor the MAC Alliance for stewarding the building of Mesa Arts Center 21 years ago. The featured 
performer is Priscilla Presley, with an Old Hollywood glamour theme. The pre-show dinner is sold out 
but there are still tickets for the show and cocktail event. Board Chair Greg DeSimone has purchased a 
table on behalf of the Museum & Cultural Advisory Board and there are seats available for Board 
members. Board members were asked to contact Jenn Fecteau directly to reserve a seat. Jenn asked 
Sarah Goedicke, Board Liaison, to send the invite out to Board members (Exhibit A).  
Jenn also shared that idea museum’s Igniting Imagination fundraiser is in April and later in the 
calendar year will be the next Rock on the Rock at Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH). These 
are both adult night out events.  
Upcoming Events, Volunteer, or Participation Opportunities: 
Luis Ruiz, Director of Arts & Culture, shared some info from one of the prior week’s City Council study 
session regarding new KPIs (key performance indicators) based on outcomes rather than outputs. The 
Department of Arts & Culture fits into the City’s “Thriving Community” priority and the department’s 
executive team created a purpose statement (Exhibit B). The Arts & Culture Department exists to 
connect the public with dynamic, enriching experiences while stewarding community spaces and assets 
to strengthen Mesa’s cultural vibrancy and economic vitality, advancing the City’s vision of a thriving 
and prosperous community. Greg DeSimone stated he thinks this will help the Board help the 
department and help the Board find more concrete ways to do so.

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Jarrad Bittner, idea museum Administrator, thanked the Board for volunteering for January’s opening. 
idea Museum will be open late for Second Friday on February 13, 2026 with an inclusive resource fair 
and a quiet hour from 4-5pm. The museum will stay open until 8pm.  
Simon Tipene Adlam, AZMNH Museum Administrator, shared that redevelopment consultants will be 
onsite February 13, 2026 to do some community engagement work. This will coincide with Second 
Friday and it’s very important to have the Board present. Staff also created an AZMNH 101 program for 
the Foundation to shadow staff so they can better advocate for the museum. This is open to members 
of this Board as well.  
Mandy Tripoli, Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center, shared that the second ALT Fest will be on 
Friday March 13, 2026. She thanked the Board for their volunteerism at Dia de los Muertos and stated 
that for ALT Fest, MAC staff will need help with Club 48 and registration. Staff hope to expand ALT Fest 
to two days in coming years.  
Kristin McLeod, Marketing Director for Arts & Culture, shared that Arts in Service has an exhibition 
opening on March 26, 2026 and the exhibition will be open March 26, 2026 through April 5, 2026 at 
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum has its next opening on Friday 
February 13, 2026 from 7-10pm, with the Member event starting at 6pm. 
Sarah Goedicke shared that the City is holding a Board recruitment event at the Post on March 3, 2026 
and Sarah will be present at the event to answer questions from the public. Sarah also emailed this 
information to the Board. The City has asked for quotes and photos from Board members on why they 
serve on their Board and Sarah asked Board members to share those with her via email. The City also 
would like to see Board members attend the event on March 3.  
Discuss projects or presenters of interest and report on events attended: 
Karen Rolston asked if Sarah Goedicke had contacted Susan Ricci, Executive Director of Mesa Historical 
Museum, about coming to a meeting and Sarah confirmed that Susan will be at the next meeting in 
March. 
Greg DeSimone attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance and was thrilled with both the 
performance and the great Club 48 experience. 
Angela Buer attended the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade and marched with the MEAD Machine. 
Brad Peterson recently visited the new Eastmark Gateway Library and said it’s cool to see the city 
expanding out in that area and the library is an outstanding facility.  
The next scheduled meeting date is March 26, 2026, and will be a hybrid meeting on Zoom 
and at idea Museum Atrium Classroom, 150 W Pepper Pl, Mesa, AZ 85201. 
Melvin Van Vorst made a motion to end the meeting and Karen Rolston seconded. There being no 
further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:39pm. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Luis Ruiz 
Director of Arts and Culture

EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCEPLUS
E N V I S I O N .  E L E V A T E .  I M P A C T .
A R T S  &  C U L T U R E
OUTCOMES-base of kpis
HOW WE ALIGN TO THE 
PRIORITIES
WHY WE EXIST
The Arts & Culture Department exists to connect the public with dynamic, 
enriching experiences while stewarding community spaces and assets to 
strengthen Mesa’s cultural vibrancy and economic vitality, advancing the 
City’s vision of a thriving and prosperous community.
EXHIBIT B