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CAC ACTION ITEM - Acknowledgement of Reappointed and Newly Appointed Members of the Cultural Affairs Commission; and Selection of the Chair and Vice Chair for FY 2026 - 2027
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Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Sally Unsworth / City Manager - Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (8/13/26)
Department Approval: N/A
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the Cultural Affairs Commission select, by majority vote, a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to serve in that capacity until the next reorganization in July 2027 or thereafter.
BACKGROUND & PROCEDURE
At the special meeting on June 1, 2026, the City Council considered ten (10) eligible applications for the Cultural Affairs Commission and interviewed the candidates in attendance at that meeting.
At the following regular City Council meeting on June 8, 2026, Heather Moses was reappointed to Office No. 1, Van Johnson was appointed to Office No. 2, and Ehsaan Mesghali was reappointed to Office No. 5.
The City Clerk confirmed that Heather Moses, Van Johnson, and Ehsaan Mesghali attended Brown Act and Ethics Training on June 25, 2026, and were administered the Oath of Office at that meeting.
Commissioner Mesghali shall preside over the meeting and take nominations for the selection of a Chair and Vice Chair for Fiscal Year 2026 - 2027. The newly selected Chair shall preside over the meeting upon the conclusion of this agenda item.
Below is each Commission Member’s office number with their associated terms.
Office No. 1: Heather Moses - First Term expires on June 30, 2030
Office No. 2: Van Johnson - First Term expires on June 30, 2029 (3 years)
Office No. 3: Shona Gupta - First Term expires on June 30, 2028
Office No. 4: Tania Fleischer - Second Term expires on June 30, 2027
Office No. 5: Ehsaan Mesghali - Second Term expires on June 30, 2030
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENTS
None
MOTION:
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
1. Select ______________ as Chair; and, _____________ as Vice Chair.