May 12, 2026 Draft Arts & Culture Commission Meeting Minutes
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Arts & Culture Commission Georgia T. Lord Library Community Room 1900 N. Civic Square Goodyear, AZ 85395 Tuesday, May 12, 2026 5:30 p.m. Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Love at 5:30 pm. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Nancy Love; Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka; Commissioner Jerry Drake; Commissioner Laura Fries; Commissioner Kimberly Hill; Commissioner Steve Adler; Commissioner Robert Coberly Absent: Commissioner Carole Palmer; Commissioner Cindy Braun Staff Present: Guylene Ozlanski, Parks & Recreation Deputy Director; Heather Ernst-Torres, Administrative Assistant; Layne Ruiz, Arts & Culture Coordinator; Dalton Attig, Arts & Culture Programmer; Natalie Reinen, Festival & Events Coordinator Attendees: Cha Gutierrez, Light Pole Banner Artists, Charith Denson, Light Pole Banner Artists, Maria Madrid Reed, Light Pole Banner Artists MOTION BY Commissioner Laura Fries, SECONDED BY Commissioner Jerry Drake to EXCUSE commissioner Carol Palmer. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Chair Nancy Love, Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Laura Fries, Commissioner Kimberly Hill, Commissioner Steve Adler, Commissioner Robert Coberly Passed - Unanimously MOTION BY Commissioner Jerry Drake, SECONDED BY Commissioner Steve Adler to RECORD the unexcused absence of commissioner Cindy Braun. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Chair Nancy Love, Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Laura Fries, Commissioner Kimberly Hill, Commissioner Steve Adler, Commissioner Robert Coberly Passed - Unanimously PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the draft minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission meeting held on March 10, 2026 MOTION BY Commissioner Robert Coberly, SECONDED BY Commissioner Laura Fries to APPROVE the draft minutes of the Arts & Culture Commission meeting held on March 10, 2026. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Chair Nancy Love, Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Laura Fries, Commissioner Kimberly Hill, Commissioner Steve Adler, Commissioner Robert Coberly Passed - Unanimously 2. CHAIRMAN REMARKS (NANCY LOVE, CHAIRMAN) Chairman Love had no remarks to give to the commissioners. 3. SELECT AND APPROVE CONCEPTS FOR LIGHT POLE BANNER PUBLIC ART PROJECT (LAYNE RUIZ, ARTS & CULTURE COORDINATOR) Layne Ruiz introduced the four artists — Cha Gutierrez, Charith Denson, Maria Madrid Reed, and Jessi Kerr, who each presented three art concepts for the Light Pole Banner Public Art Project to the commissioners. The commissioners engaged in discussion about the concepts, sharing which designs they preferred and the reasons behind their selections. Commissioners also provided constructive feedback to the artists when appropriate. Following all presentations, Layne Ruiz asked the commissioners to vote electronically on their favorite concept from each artist. MOTION BY Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, SECONDED BY Commissioner Robert Coberly to APPROVE the selected Concepts for the light pole banner public art project. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Chair Nancy Love, Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Laura Fries, Commissioner Kimberly Hill, Commissioner Steve Adler, Commissioner Robert Coberly Passed - Unanimously 4. SUMMER/FALL SPECIAL EVENTS REVIEW (NATALIE REINEN, FESTIVAL & EVENTS COORDINATOR) Natalie Reinen provided the Arts Commission with an overview of upcoming city events through the end of 2026 and highlighted several opportunities where the commissioner's participation and engagement would be especially appreciated. Commissioner Kimberly Hill inquired about plans surrounding America 250 and asked what events the city is planning to commemorate the milestone. Guylene Ozlanski responded with an overview of several upcoming events that will incorporate elements and themes related to America 250. 5. REVIEW AND APPROVE RETREAT AGENDA (GUYLENE OZLANSKI, PARKS & RECREATION DEPUTY DIRECTOR) Guylene Oslanski provided an overview of the upcoming Arts and Culture Strategic Planning Retreat, which will be held at Goodyear Ballpark on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The retreat agenda includes three work sessions: “From Vision to Vibrancy: How Public Art Aligns with City Goals,” “Your Voice: Advocacy & Impact as an Arts Commissioner,” and “How We Fit Together.” The event will also include a networking breakfast and lunch for attendees. MOTION BY Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, SECONDED BY Commissioner Kimberly Hill to APPROVE the retreat agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Chair Nancy Love, Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Laura Fries, Commissioner Kimberly Hill, Commissioner Steve Adler, Commissioner Robert Coberly Passed - Unanimously 6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION TO REMOVE CINDY BRAUN FROM THE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION DUE TO NON-ATTENDANCE (NANCY LOVE, CHAIRMAN) Chairman Love opened discussion regarding the removal of Cindy Braun from the Arts and Culture Commission due to absences from the following meetings: July 8, 2025; September 9, 2025; November 18, 2025; January 13, 2026; and March 10, 2026. All commissioners were in agreement with the removal. MOTION BY Commissioner Steve Adler, SECONDED BY Commissioner Laura Fries to REMOVE commissioner Cindy Braun from the Arts and Culture Commission. The motion carried by the following vote: AYE: Chair Nancy Love, Vice Chair Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Laura Fries, Commissioner Kimberly Hill, Commissioner Steve Adler, Commissioner Robert Coberly Passed - Unanimously INFORMATION ITEMS There were no information items. FUTURE MEETINGS Future meetings are tentatively scheduled as follows: July 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Love adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by: __________________________ Laura Jara, Board Secretary Date:___________________ Approved at Arts & Culture Commission Meeting held on__________, 2026.