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Minutes for Arts & Culture Commission


Arts & Culture Commission
Goodyear City Hall - La Jolla Vista Conference Room

1900 N. Civic Square
Goodyear, AZ 85395
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 5:30 p.m. Meeting Minutes
 
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Paulos called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
 
ROLL CALL
Present:
Chairman Lisa Paulos; Vice Chairman Erin MacFarlane; Commissioner Louise Privette; Commissioner Nancy Love; Commissioner Rosalind Robinson; Commissioner Kyoko Iwasaka; Commissioner Jerry Drake; Commissioner Carole Palmer; Commissioner (via Teams) Cindy Braun; Alternate Kimberly Hill; Youth Commissioner Sophia Rodriguez
Absent:
Commissioner Laura Fries
Staff Present:
Arts and Culture Administrator Guylene Ozlanski; Arts & Culture Coordinator Layne Ruiz; Administrative Assistant Susan Watson; Management Assistant Laura Jara; Acting City Clerk Jasmine Pernicano
Attendees:
Kathy Knecht , West Valley Arts Council Executive Director, Mary Goldmeer , Daily Independent
 

MOTION BY Commissioner Louise Privette, SECONDED BY Commissioner Jerry Drake to EXCUSE the absence of Commissioner Laura Fries. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE:
Chairman Lisa Paulos, Vice Chairman Erin MacFarlane, Commissioner Louise Privette, Commissioner Nancy Love, Commissioner Rosalind Robinson, Commissioner Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Carole Palmer
Other:
Commissioner (via Teams) Cindy Braun (Absent)

Passed - Unanimously

 
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments. 
 
BUSINESS
 
1.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 

MOTION BY Commissioner Nancy Love, SECONDED BY Commissioner Kyoko Iwasaka  to APPROVE the draft minutes of the Arts & Culture Commission meeting held on November 12, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE:
Chairman Lisa Paulos, Vice Chairman Erin MacFarlane, Commissioner Louise Privette, Commissioner Nancy Love, Commissioner Rosalind Robinson, Commissioner Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Carole Palmer
Other:
Commissioner (via Teams) Cindy Braun (Absent)

Passed - Unanimously

 
2.
JERRY DRAKE, CAROL PALMER, AND ROSALIND ROBINSON OATH OF OFFICE (CITY CLERK)
Acting City Clerk Jasmine Pernicano administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Commissioner Carol Palmer and reappointed Commissioners Jerry Drake, and Rosalind Robinson. 
 
3.
CHAIRMAN REMARKS (LISA PAULOS, CHAIRMAN)
Chairman Paulos congratulated and warmly welcomed the newly appointed commissioners. She shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming opportunities and commission projects in 2025.
 
4.
WEST VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL UPDATE (KATHY KNECHT, WEST VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)
Kathy Knecht, Executive Director of West Valley Arts Council, provided a comprehensive presentation of the organization, including its mission, vision, structure, and key objectives. 
 
5.
WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS (LISA PAULOS, CHAIRMAN)
Commissioner Cindy Braun (via Teams) and alternate Kimberly Hill introduced themselves and provided a brief overview of their backgrounds and passion for Arts & Culture. 
 
6.
APPOINT 2025 CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN (LISA PAULOS, CHAIRMAN)
Chairman Paulos expressed her desire to continue serving as Chairman for another term, emphasizing her commitment to making a significant impact on the committee in the coming year. She also reviewed the key responsibilities associated with the Chairman role.

Vice Chairman MacFarlane also reviewed her role and responsibilities, expressing her interest in serving another term.

Commissioner Love expressed interest in the Vice Chairman position, alongside Commissioner Braun. The Commission discussed succession planning for next year's Chairman, and recommended longstanding Commissioner Nancy Love fill the Vice Chairman role. Coordinator Ruiz thanked Commissioner Braun for her willingness to step forward and interest in the position. 
 

MOTION BY Vice Chairman Erin MacFarlane, SECONDED BY Commissioner Carole Palmer to Nominate and Appoint Chairman Lisa Paulos as Chairman and Commission Nancy Love as Vice Chairman of the Arts & Culture Commission for 2025. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE:
Chairman Lisa Paulos, Vice Chairman Erin MacFarlane, Commissioner Louise Privette, Commissioner Nancy Love, Commissioner Rosalind Robinson, Commissioner Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Carole Palmer, Commissioner (via Teams) Cindy Braun

Passed - Unanimously

 
7.
APPOINT SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS (LAYNE RUIZ, COORDINATOR)
Commissioners will nominate and appoint Arts & Culture Subcommittee Members for 2025.
Coordinator Ruiz led the discussion on the nominations for the Arts & Culture subcommittees. She proposed nominees, highlighting their previous experiences and how those experiences would benefit the work and goals of the subcommittees. Coordinator Ruiz nominated Commissioner Braun for Events & Festivals, Commissioner Fries for Public Art, and Commissioner Privette for the position of Chair for Public Art. Discussion ensued regarding Kimberly Hill joining the Communication and Education & Programs Subcommittee once she has been appointed Alternate. 
 

MOTION BY Commissioner Jerry Drake, SECONDED BY Commissioner Rosalind Robinson  to NOMINATE and APPOINT Commissioner Cindy Braun for Events & Festivals, Commissioner Laura Fries for Public Art and Commissioner Louise Privette, Chair for Public Art. Subcommittee Members for 2025. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE:
Chairman Lisa Paulos, Vice Chairman Erin MacFarlane, Commissioner Louise Privette, Commissioner Nancy Love, Commissioner Rosalind Robinson, Commissioner Kyoko Iwasaka, Commissioner Jerry Drake, Commissioner Carole Palmer, Commissioner (via Teams) Cindy Braun

Passed - Unanimously

 
8.
PROGRAMS UPDATE (ROSALIND ROBINSON, COMMISSIONER)
Commissioner Rosalind Robinson provided an update on the programs at Goodyear Recreation Center. In November, the center hosted a successful Veteran's Day event, which had a wonderful turnout. In December, the Origami event, led by Commissioner Kyoko Iwaska and Dalton Attig, received spectacular feedback from participants, highlighting the event's success and positive impact on the community.

Pop-up events are hosted every third Wednesday of the month at the Goodyear Recreation Center. These events allow participants to learn new crafts, relax, and socialize with friends, and make new connections within the community.

In 2025, upcoming events and ideas will include bringing in outside artists to teach classes and, offering unique learning opportunities for the community. There will also be a strong focus on spreading awareness of Goodyear's programs to ensure more people can participate and benefit from the offerings at the Recreation Center.
 
9.
EVENTS UPDATE (NANCY LOVE, COMMISSIONER)
Upcoming Events:

Coordinator Ruiz provided an update on upcoming events in 2025. Commissioners will have a booth at the events to answer questions and promote the Arts and Culture initiatives, providing valuable information and engaging with the community.
February 8 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Heart & Sole 
February 15 from 5-8 p.m., Jazz in the Park
March 1 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Wag & Tag Pet Festival 
March 15 from 5-8 p.m., Theater in the Park
March 29 from 3-9:30 p.m., Goodyear Lakeside Music Festival (Jordan Sparks, Jane and the Jungle, Francine Reed)
 
10.
ARTS UPDATE (LAYNE RUIZ, ARTS & CULTURE COORDINATOR)
Coordinator Ruiz discussed updates for the Arts program in 2025, emphasizing the need to bring in elevated artists. She highlighted the importance of staying competitive within the City of Goodyear to continue offering high-quality and engaging arts experiences.
 
11.
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE (LISA PAULOS, COMMISSIONER)
Chairman Paulos provided a communications update regarding the promotion of upcoming events on social media. She recommended following the City of Goodyear's media page for the latest updates on all Arts and Culture events in the future.
 
INFORMATION ITEMS
There were no information items. 
 
FUTURE MEETING
Future meetings are tentatively scheduled as follows:
  • March 11, 2025
  • May 13, 2025
  • July 8, 2025
  • September 9, 2025
  • November 18, 2025
 
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Chairmann Paulos adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted by:

 
__________________________
Susan Watson, Board Secretary

Date:___________________

Approved at the Arts & Culture Commission Meeting held on March 11, 2025.