The Vallejo Commission on Culture and the Arts spent the latter portion of its Sept. 22 meeting shaping priorities for its upcoming fiscal-year work plan, discussing regranting, public-art reinstallation, staffing and partnerships with local nonprofits and the Vallejo Recreation and Park District.

Commissioners emphasized near-term regranting to support local artists and organizations and proposed a phased approach. Vice Chair Dalia Vidor and other commissioners recalled earlier rounds in which the commission administered regranting programs: "we have received a $100,000 twice, once from ARPA funds that went to nonprofits and then a $100,000 that went directly to artists," Staff member Steph Taylor said. Commissioners debated asking for $100,000 again or seeking $200,000; several speakers suggested $100,000 is realistic given past practice while noting administrative overhead and nonprofit partners would be needed to distribute funds.

Council liaison Councilmember Matias told the commission that philanthropic opportunities could augment city support: "The Hewlett Foundation has made $500,000 available over the next 2 years," Matias said, and he asked commissioners to help make the case for arts funding at the council level.

Commissioners discussed three broad funding/implementation phases: (1) regranting to distribute funds to local artists and organizations through a vetted nonprofit partner, (2) modest operating and outreach activities such as tabling, printed materials and conference attendance, and (3) larger capital work including public-art reinstallation. Commissioner Trevor Allen recommended phasing so the commission can demonstrate success on lower-cost items before tackling capital-intense reinstallation.

Several operational points were set during the meeting: staff asked commissioners to submit their work-plan ideas and associated budgets directly to commission staff (Steph Taylor) within roughly two weeks; Taylor set a deadline aligned with the first Monday in October for submission. Commissioners proposed forming an ad hoc subcommittee in October to refine proposals; by law the ad hoc must be fewer than a quorum, so commissioners discussed selecting three members when the commission meets next.

Speakers urged partnerships and realistic budgeting. Commissioners named possible partners to manage regranting or matching funds: Vallejo Center for the Arts (previously BCAF), the Solano County Arts Council, and other 501(c)(3) intermediaries previously used by the commission. Commissioner Andrea Hernandez offered to share prior notes and application materials to assist a new ad hoc.

Commissioners also discussed program-level logistics: regranting historically required a nonprofit intermediary because federal ARPA funds could not be distributed directly to individuals; as a result, commissioners recommended budgeting an additional 10-20% to cover administrative costs if using a nonprofit manager. Commissioners considered tabling, digital outreach (including proposals for an app or walking-tour features), partnerships with GVRD for arts-in-parks programming, and hiring or contracting grant-writing support.

No formal vote was held on a final FY 2025-26 budget; the commission agreed to compile proposals and revisit an ad hoc subcommittee formation at its October meeting. Staff will assemble submitted ideas into a consolidated draft for review.

Ending

Commissioners set a near-term schedule: commissioners will email work-plan ideas and budget figures to staff within the requested deadline, the commission will consider forming an ad hoc in October, and staff will return a consolidated draft for adoption in later meetings.